Nuno Tavares Hints Lazio Mismanaged His Injuries, Admits ‘Restrain’ Under Sarri

Rome – In a candid interview aired on the official Serie A YouTube channel, Lazio full-back Nuno Tavares has lifted the lid on a turbulent 18 months in the capital, suggesting that last season’s succession of muscle problems stemmed from decisions that were “not entirely” in his hands and acknowledging that his trademark attacking bursts have been deliberately toned down under current boss Maurizio Sarri.

The 26-year-old Portuguese international arrived in Rome on a season-long loan from Arsenal in the summer of 2024 before making the switch permanent a year later. His debut campaign exploded into life with eight assists in as many league matches, a haul that made him the league’s early assist king and Lazio’s standout performer. Twelve months on, the numbers paint a different picture: only one assist across all competitions, the most recent coming from a corner that teed up Mattia Zaccagni’s winner against AC Milan in the Coppa Italia.

Tavares attributes the statistical dip to a tactical recalibration demanded by Sarri. “This season you’re not seeing much of my attacking output because we’re more tactically focused and perhaps more restrained, but it’s a way to improve as a team,” he explained. “We play good football, though. My goal is always to improve on last season; I don’t want to set a specific number of assists, but of course I’d like to get more.”

The restraint has been visible. After a bright opening, Tavares found himself behind Luca Pellegrini in the pecking order for long stretches, returning to the XI only in recent weeks. Despite the reduced freedom, the full-back insists the experience is beneficial. “Playing for a coach who has won many trophies with different clubs is always positive. I always want to work with the best, and that’s why I’m happy to work with him. I want to keep improving this season. I need to be more decisive and consistent.”

While the tactical tweak explains the present, Tavares offered a pointed reflection on last term’s injury nightmare. He suffered seven separate muscle setbacks and, crucially, believes he was rushed back too soon. “I know my body, but sometimes decisions don’t entirely depend on me,” he said. “I know what I can give and when I can’t perform at my best. There have been issues; we weren’t always on the same page on certain decisions, but the important thing is that I know how to read my body. I know what I need and when I need to stop.”

Though he stopped short of naming former coach Marco Baroni, the implication is clear: the club’s medical and coaching staff during that period misjudged his readiness, a misstep that ultimately blunted a campaign which had begun in spectacular fashion.

Away from the pitch, Tavares revealed a lesser-known passion. Born in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents, he briefly pursued music with the same fervour he reserves for football. “I enrolled in a school to learn and went three times a week. It was easy to combine the two passions; I had teachers who allowed me to balance both,” he recalled. “At 15, I had to make a choice between football and the cello. It was difficult, because music is always a part of me.”

As Lazio push for a strong finish, Tavares hopes the compromises of this season—tighter positioning, fewer forays forward—will translate into collective success. “I hope we can achieve our objectives and that the fans are happy with us,” he said. If he can stay fit and marry defensive discipline with the explosive flair that once terrorised Serie A, the assists, and the music, may yet return.