In The Face Of Injury And Transfer Crisis, Sarri’s Passion Fuels A “Little Miracle” For Lazio

At one point, Lazio’s season looked destined for disaster. Rewind to September 21st: the Biancoceleste had just lost a painful derby, sat in 13th place with only three points from four games, and shared the same miserable tally as Sassuolo and Verona. To make matters worse, the injury list was overflowing, with seven players unavailable, five of them midfielders. It was the kind of scenario that could have broken any team’s morale. But not Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.

From that low point, something shifted. Over the following six matches against Genoa, Torino, Atalanta, Juventus, Pisa, and Cagliari, Lazio collected 12 points, losing only to Inter. In that span, only the Nerazzurri performed better in Serie A. It was a remarkable recovery, achieved in constant emergency conditions, that showcased the discipline, depth, and tactical intelligence of Sarri’s work.

The Tuscan coach has proven once again that he can extract the maximum from limited resources. One standout example is Toma Basic, once considered on the fringes of the squad but now reborn as a decisive contributor. His tireless performances and a crucial goal against Juventus symbolize Lazio’s revival. Beyond individuals, the entire squad rediscovered its collective spirit, defensive solidity, and willingness to sacrifice. The result is a run of four consecutive clean sheets and six in total this season, a defensive record surpassed only by Arsenal among Europe’s top leagues.

This defensive transformation is not new under Sarri. His Lazio had already shown similar resilience with four clean sheets in 2021–22 and two six-game streaks in 2022–23. It is not that Sarri has abandoned his attacking philosophy; rather, he has evolved it. The team now plays with balance and maturity, prioritizing structure and adaptability over spectacle when needed.

Sarri himself described this turnaround as his “little miracle,” borrowing a phrase from actor Massimo Troisi. It is a miracle built not on luck, but on work ethic, trust, and a shared mentality. In a summer overshadowed by a sluggish transfer market and a wave of injuries, the true champion of Lazio’s season has been the man on the bench.

Now, the challenge passes to the club’s hierarchy. To sustain this progress, Lazio must provide the coach with the reinforcements and long-term vision his project deserves. Because if there is one thing this revival has proven, it is that Sarri’s Lazio, even under pressure, never stops believing.