Lazio 2025 Report Card Part 2: Goalkeepers And Defenders

After evaluating the leadership and technical area of Lazio’s turbulent 2025, it is time to turn the spotlight onto the back line. Goalkeepers and defenders lived through very different realities depending on the coach, the system, and their own physical condition. Once again, the year confirmed how deeply context shapes performance, especially in the most exposed roles on the pitch.

Lazio’s defensive unit in 2025 mirrors the season itself. Solid pillars surrounded by instability, moments of excellence interrupted by structural fragility. Below is the defensive report card for Lazio’s 2025 season

Christos Mandas

He edges Provedel by half a point over the full year. For a young goalkeeper with limited experience, his constant readiness regardless of the opponent deserves recognition. Calm, focused, and reliable when called upon. The future belongs to him, provided Lazio keep him within their orbit.

Rating: 7.5

Ivan Provedel

Six months of nightmare followed by six months of excellence. Under Baroni, confidence evaporated and mistakes piled up. Under Sarri, Provedel rediscovered himself, returning to the level of a top class goalkeeper. Averaging those extremes tells only part of the story. What matters is that Lazio once again have a reliable number one.

Rating: 7

Alessio Furlanetto

Third goalkeeper behind two strong options. His role was limited to observation and learning. For now, his season cannot be judged, but the apprenticeship continues while waiting for an opportunity elsewhere.

Rating: N/A

Alessio Romagnoli

Undoubtedly the defensive MVP of the season. Calm, experienced, authoritative. Even under Baroni, he rarely wavered, managing risk and leading by example, including with decisive goals in March. Under Sarri, he elevated himself further. The fact that Lazio’s MVP is a defender says much about the team’s struggles elsewhere.

Rating: 8

Adam Marusic

A confirmed certainty. He gives everything every time, often playing through physical issues. A few mistakes across a long season are inevitable and do not diminish his overall value. The captain’s armband may weigh heavily, but as a dependable soldier, he would be useful anywhere. Lazio included.

Rating: 7.5

Mario Gila

Enormous qualities sometimes held back by youthful impetuosity. Sarri restarted his development path with encouraging results, aside from a few lapses. The real regret is contractual. This growth may ultimately benefit another club.

Rating: 7

Oliver Provstgaard

He learned Italian within months, settled immediately, and showed personality and quality. In terms of value for money and future prospects, he stands out as the only Fabiani signing fully deserving promotion.

Rating: 7

Luca Pellegrini

A constant roller coaster. Promising highs followed by familiar lapses in character and focus. Difficult to decipher, he became a starter partly due to others’ shortcomings. For now, the left flank is rightfully his. The hope is that consistency turns him into a player worthy of a top tier salary.

Rating: 6.5

Manuel Lazzari

Zero goals and zero assists in 2025. Too little output for a player who, while not a fixed starter, should at least provide something in the attacking phase. Defensive effort is there, but looking ahead to renewals, he appears the most expendable option on the right flank.

Rating: 6

Patric

A political six, awarded for loyalty, professionalism, and long service. His season was heavily compromised by injury, making a true sporting judgment difficult.

Rating: 6

Samuel Gigot

Presented with reckless comparisons that were never his responsibility. When available, his performances were convincing. Not a Sarri type defender, but he was rarely given the chance to truly show himself.

Rating: 6

Nuno Tavares

A downward spiral. Injuries, rushed comebacks, and new setbacks, followed by tactical incompatibility under Sarri. Rarely decisive in a positive sense and too often damaging. He lost his place to Pellegrini and may have reached the end of his Lazio chapter.

Rating: 5

Elseid Hysaj

January hinted at redemption after reintegration, but injury dragged him back into obscurity. The mistake against Bodø Glimt at the Olimpico remains an indelible stain on his year.

Rating: 5