Simone Inzaghi: The mastermind behind Lazio’s rise

Personnel

Inzaghi has been able to bring the best out of players with a variety of different skill-sets at the club. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ciro Immobile have profited most this season. The Serbian acts as a box-to-box midfielder which suits his all-round skill-set. Immobile is mainly used as a lone striker where he is able to use his movement and instinctive nature to find space in dangerous areas.

Lucas Leiva has been brought into anchor the midfield, which has enabled the team to cope without Biglia. Liverpool flop Luis Alberto works well as a link between the midfield and the forwards. Felipe Anderson has been used as a wide threat when the opposition needs to be stretched.

These are just some of the players that Inzaghi has found a role in his team for. He is able to understand their individual skill-sets as well as, most importantly, how to get the best out of them. This ability to get the best out of the resources at his disposal stands him in good stead.

There are top talents on his team such as Milinkovic-Savic as well as Keita last season. However, his work with players such as Leiva, Stefan de Vrij and Felipe Caicedo shows that he doesn’t need the best players to bring success.

Immobile’s resurgence after tough spells with multiple clubs indicates an ability to coach and motivate well. He is also able to deal with big personalities such as Nani; this is important if he ends up becoming manager of one of the elite European sides in his managerial career.