Lazio’s season has acquired the rhythm of a side that expects to remain in the leading places. Parma arrived at the Olimpico determined but unable to turn their effort into decisive moments, and Rino Gattuso’s team found the answers after a cautious opening half. Taylor scored his first league goal of the campaign before Diego Carlos put through his own net under pressure from Nuno Tavares, as Lazio added another victory to an already remarkable start.
The coach and the club
For one night, at least, Lazio stood alone at the top while Inter and Fiorentina awaited their meeting. The result also brought Parma a third straight defeat under Alberto Gilardino, whose side showed spirit without finding the finish needed to change the afternoon.
Gattuso had warned his players before the match that there could be no easing off after the win at Juventus. “We must not slow down for any reason,” he said. “I want to see the same team that beat Juve. If we try merely to manage the game or play in a lower gear, we will take a lesson that stays with us for a long time.”
The response reflected a growing conviction within the squad. Lazio approached Parma differently from the manner in which they had gone after Juventus in Turin, where they were aggressive from the outset to secure a win that had eluded them for nine years. At the Olimpico they were more patient early on, then ruthless after the interval.
Gattuso has maintained that balance despite a demanding injury list. Marusic, Rovella and Gudmundsson were all unavailable, while Pinamonti withdrew at the last moment. The coach’s influence is also being felt in the renewed form of several players, with Tavares among those transformed by the season’s momentum.
A championship pace
Seven wins and one draw from eight rounds have produced 22 points from a possible 24. Lazio have scored 16 times and conceded only five, making them the division’s strongest defence so far. They are also the only Serie A side yet to allow a first-half goal.
The figures have been matched by the quality and adaptability of their football. Lazio have altered their approach according to the opponent, whether taking command from the start in Turin or waiting for the right phase of the match against Parma.
Isaksen again carried a threat throughout, striking the crossbar and having a goal ruled out after a VAR review. Mandas made important interventions against Touré and Romero, though he could do little to conceal his disappointment when Lontani found a late goal. The Parma match was nevertheless treated as another 2-0 statement of Lazio’s position near the summit.
The physical condition of the group has become another feature of the run. Floriani and Tavares have repeatedly covered the ground required of them, while Dele-Bashiru is enjoying a level of fitness not previously seen in his career.
Dreams, but no declarations
With 30 league rounds still to play, there is no need for Lazio to turn a strong autumn into promises about May. Gattuso is not a coach inclined to grand forecasts, and his insistence on concentration has helped the side handle the unfamiliar attention of leading the table.
The question of how far Lazio can travel in this championship is now unavoidable. Their early evidence suggests they are comfortable in the company they are keeping. More importantly, the squad no longer appears surprised by its own achievements; it is playing with the awareness of a team that believes it belongs there.
