Lazio’s season to date has been unquestionably below expectations. The ideas of coach Maurizio Sarri have struggled to take off and the reasons could be found on several fronts: from a defense that has lost its charismatic leader Acerbi for too long, to a slow and gradual acclimatization of Luis Alberto in a position not congenial for him, up to to a point guard who almost never managed to leave a clear mark of the Tuscan coach’s playing philosophy. A role without a boss, which Sarri desperately needs. A master like Jorginho was in the three spectacular years in Naples. Now the first name on the agenda is that of Maxime Lopez of Sassuolo. And the data relating to the player make it clear why Sarri has a vested interest in bringing him to the capital.
THE EXCELLENT DATA – The Sassuolo playmaker is in his second season with the neroverdi and this year he has become a pivot of the midfield. A real game catalyst for Dionisi’s team, and the data underline this. In 26 championship races carried out Maxime Lopez is the player with the most passes made (1911)in front of masters of dribbling such as Brozovic (2nd) and Fabian Ruiz (5th), a tangible sign of how personality is not lacking, perfectly replacing that Locatelli who held the record in this special ranking last season.
STATISTICALLY PROVEN OWNERSHIP – If this data is objectively an important factor for the type of game that Sarri wants to give to his Lazio, there is another that could make us understand even better why the former Napoli and Juve coach’s desire for the Sassuolo director . Maxime Lopez, in fact, plays an average of 73.5 balls per game and the percentage of completed passes is equal to 91%. And Cataldi and Leiva? The first plays 41 (89%) and the second 32 (91%) on average per game. Exactly what Maxime Lopez is capable of producing on his own. Numbers from the new Jorginho, a piece that Sarri has been missing for too long.