Between Naples and the Scudetto there is only Sarri left

The last time Maurizio Sarri said goodbye to his old team, he said he was envious. “Envious because this Napoli, unlike mine, will go on to win the Scudetto”. It was March 3rd. His Lazio had just unleashed an exemplary tactical test, leading them to desecrate the Maradona pitch like no one had done this season until then. The whole Serie A applauded the coach: finally, after a good year of running in, sarrismo – or whatever will be – had managed to emerge even in the delicate Roman square. “But we lack the points”, the bitter observation. “We are only at the beginning of the journey”.

Since that day, Napoli have been mistreated at home, they have seen the Champions League dream fade away – a Rossoneri nightmare in three acts – and of the last five official matches they have won only one: it hasn’t happened since February 2022. Since that day, Lazio have sacrificed cynically, the Conference League – “I prefer the derby”, Maurizio dixit – has risen to second place, becoming the best defense in the league and boasts an open streak of four consecutive victories: it had never happened in the Sarri era. Today there are still many points between the two teams, 14. Yet if the tricolor smoke bombs have not yet been lit in Fuorigrotta, much is due to the unforgettable helmsman of the Azzurri.

Let’s be clear: Napoli have dominated the league and are 99 percent sure they will win it. The news is that, however, there is still a minimal margin of uncertainty thanks to an outsider like Lazio. That clings to arithmetic. In recent days the comeback designed by a Lazio fan has been making the rounds on the web: from now on Milinkovic and his teammates win them all, the Spalletti gang scrapes together only eight points in as many games. And on June 4 Lazio 85, Naples 83. Little less than fantasy football. But even just being able to joke about it, until that direct confrontation was unthinkable. Instead, Napoli has abandoned the clothes of the steamroller. Losing enamel and certainties, thanks to a slight decline on the physical – physiological level, after a year full of thousands.

In the meantime, Sarri’s Lazio is taking place. Maybe it’s less aesthetic than expected, but damn pragmatic. Despite a very short bench and Immobile’s tormented season. The coach reinvented himself Felipe Anderson false nine, he found understanding with his fine midfield brains. And above all he has armored the defense: the 58 goals conceded in the last Serie A are only 20 so far. The Biancocelesti have not taken any (and have not lost) since last February 11, 0-2 against Atalanta. Provedel’s goal has remained unbeaten in 18 out of 30 matches. 60 percent. He stuff to rub your eyes: if in recent years Lazio has remained an eternal unfinished it is because behind it was often leaking, thwarting the efforts of a proven goal machine. Now it has shed its skin. And Sarri with her, adapting to her new interpreters. The Scudetto won’t arrive, but this is already half a masterpiece.