Nuno Tavares has made an unprecedented impact since joining Lazio, becoming the first player since 2004 to provide an assist in each of his first four Serie A appearances. The Portuguese left-back’s remarkable consistency has quickly endeared him to Lazio fans and proven crucial to the team’s tactical setup under manager Marco Baroni.
Tavares’ latest assist came in Lazio’s 3-2 victory over Torino, setting up Matteo Guendouzi for the opening goal. Calciomercato report how the 24-year-old’s powerful run down the left flank was reminiscent of his two assists against AC Milan earlier in the season. Humble in his success, Tavares stated, “I’m just doing my job for my teammates. The three points are what’s important. When we play with experienced players who know how to push forward, everything becomes easier.”
This impressive start represents Tavares’ best form to date. After struggling to make an impact at Nottingham Forest last season and showing flashes of potential at Marseille the year before, he seems to have found his groove in Rome. Baroni has recognized Tavares’ importance, starting him in every league match since his debut against Milan.
However, Baroni now faces the challenge of managing Tavares’ playing time to avoid potential injuries. While the defender has never suffered a major injury in his career, he has been described as physically fragile. Since 2020/21, he has never missed more than eight games in a season, with most absences due to minor muscular issues.
To preserve Tavares’ fitness, Baroni may need to rotate him more frequently, especially during congested fixture periods. This could mean more opportunities for Luca Pellegrini on the left flank, as seen when he replaced Tavares after 70 minutes against Torino. The upcoming Europa League match against Nice may also see Pellegrini start.
Balancing Tavares’ game-changing abilities with the need to keep him fit will be crucial for Lazio’s ambitions this season. His record-breaking start has set a high bar, and maintaining this level of performance could be key to Lazio’s success in both domestic and European competitions.
