If it wasn't already tricky enough for Maurizio Sarri, the injury gods have decided to make his life an absolute nightmare. Lazio have confirmed that...
If it wasn't already tricky enough for Maurizio Sarri, the injury gods have decided to make his life an absolute nightmare. Lazio have confirmed that goalkeeper Alessio Furlanetto went under the knife today for a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and he is not the only one. The club also announced that winger Gustav Isaksen has undergone surgery for an undisclosed issue, leaving the Biancocelesti's squad depth in tatters. When you are chasing a Champions League spot and trying to navigate the Europa Conference League, losing bodies in key positions is the last thing you need. Furlanetto, a talented young shot stopper, was supposed to provide cover and competition for Ivan Provedel. Now, Sarri must rely on a third choice keeper to step up, and that is a gamble no manager wants to take in squeaky bum time.Let's be honest, Lazio's season has been a strange one. There have been flashes of the old Sarri magic, that crisp transitional play and quick passing through the thirds. But injuries keep pulling the handbrake. Isaksen arrived in the summer with a reputation for direct running and clinical finishing from the flanks. He was starting to find his feet in Serie A, a player capable of stretching defences and creating space in tight, congested central areas. To lose him now, when the fixture list gets thicker and the pressure piles on, is a real kick in the teeth. You have to wonder if the medical staff are under serious scrutiny behind the scenes. A torn ACL for a keeper is a brutal blow; it usually means eight or nine months out. Furlanetto's season is effectively over before it really began, and that stings for a lad trying to make his mark.The bigger question for Sarri is tactical flexibility. Without Isaksen, the options out wide become limited. You are looking at Mattia Zaccagni and Felipe Anderson as the primary starters, but who comes off the bench Pedro is still there, but he is not the explosive threat he once was. The Italian coach likes his wingers to stay high and wide, stretching the low block opponents often throw at Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. If that outlet dries up, the midfield becomes clogged, and Ciro Immobile gets starved of service. Furlanetto's absence, meanwhile, puts a massive burden on Provedel. The former Spezia man has been excellent, but knowing there is a serious drop off behind him can play tricks on a keeper's mind. One bad tackle, one awkward landing, and Lazio could be in real trouble between the sticks. It is not just about the players on the pitch. It is about the psychological ripple effect through the squad. When you see teammates going down, you start to worry. And worry is the enemy of sharp, decisive football.Sarri has never been one for public moaning, but you can bet he is privately livid. The transfer window is not an option to plug these gaps unless the club can find a free agent or an emergency loan. And let's face it, good keepers and match fit wingers do not just grow on trees in January. The Biancocelesti hierarchy must be asking themselves whether they did enough to build a resilient squad in the summer. This is not just bad luck. This is a structural issue that is now costing them points and momentum. For the supporters, the hope is that the recovery rooms are quiet for the rest of the campaign. For Sarri, the hope is that his remaining fit men can dig deep, park the disappointment, and grind out results. Because in Italian football, excuses get you nowhere. Results are all that matter, and right now, the results are coming with a side order of worry.
