Manuel Lazzari is an Italian professional footballer who plays as right back for Lazio and the Italian national team.
Manuel Lazzari was born in Valdagno (Vicenza), on November 29, 1993.
He started his football career in nearby Vicenza. He was in their youth sector from 2006-2010.
He then joined Montecchio (Vicenza) in Serie D. He played 29 league games and scored 1 goal.
In 2011 he moved to Delta 2000 (Porto Tolle-Rovigo) in Serie D. He played a total of 35 games for the "Rodigini" with 3 goals.
In 2012 he joined Giacomense (Masi San Giacomo - Ferrara) in Lega Pro 2nd. The Grigiorossi finished 11th and Lazzari played 24 games.
In 2013 he moved to a bigger club, SPAL, in nearby Ferrara. The "Estensi" too were in Lega Pro 2nd but in Lazzari's first season were promoted to Lega Pro. He played 30 league games under managers Leonardo Rossi (1-8) and then Massimo Gadda (9-34).
The following season the Ferraresi came 4th, first under Oscar Brevi (1-16) and then Leonardo Semplici (17-38). Lazzari played 29 league games.
The 2015-16 season saw SPAL promoted to Serie B, in first place under Semplici. Lazzari played a total of 35 games with 2 goals.
The following year SPAL performed the double jump and were promoted to Serie A, in first place. Lazzari played 39 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia.
So in 2017-18 Lazzari and SPAL were in Serie A. They managed to survive in 17th place. They won 8, drew 14 (including Lazio 0-0 in Rome) and lost 16 (including Lazio 2-5). Lazzari played 36 league games with 2 goals (Udinese, Genoa) and 2 games in Coppa Italia.
In 2018-19 SPAL did even better and finished 13th. They won 11 (including Roma home and away and Lazio in Ferrara), drew 9 and lost 18 (including Lazio 1-4 in Rome). Lazzari played 33 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia.
In the summer of 2019 his positive performances earned him a move to Lazio. In Rome he was to play under manager Simone Inzaghi. Lazio won the Super Coppa in December beating Juventus 3-1 and until March looked on course to winning the Scudetto. Then Covid-19 thwarted their hopes and they had to settle for 4th place. Lazzari had an excellent season with 32 league appearances, 1 in Coppa Italia, 6 in UEL with 1 goal (Celtic Glasgow) and 1 in the Super Coppa in Riyadh.
The following year Lazio finished 6th. Lazzari played regularly with 32 league games and 2 goals (Cagliari, Spezia), 2 in Coppa Italia and 5 in Champions League. He won his first derby in a 3-0 triumph on January 15.
In 2021-22 Lazio changed managers from Inzaghi to Maurizio Sarri. Lazzari still kept his place and played 31 league games with 3 goals (Empoli, Salernitana), 2 in Coppa Italia and 6 in UEL. Lazio finished 5th (UEL qualification). He also won his second derby 3-2 on September 26.
In 2022-23 Sarri stayed on and Lazio had a great season finishing (CL qualification). Lazzari played 28 league games ,1 in Coppa Italia and 7 in Europe (between Europa League and Conference League). He won his third and fourth derbies both 1-0.
Lazzari has won 3 Italy caps. He played 207 games for SPAL and 155 so far for Lazio, not counting the current season.
Lazzari is a defender/ midfielder. He is 1.74 and 67 kilos so not a physically strong player but very athletic. He plays mainly on the right wing whether starting at full-back or in midfield. He is a fast, dynamic and hardworking player. He is tireless up and down the field, either bursting out of defence or pushing down the flank looking for a shot or preferably an assist. When at his best he is unstoppable, the opposition often resorting to fouls resulting in bookings or sendings off (see Juan Cuadrado in Lazio vs Juve 2019). One weakness he can improve on is his final cross from the by-line, often executed with his head still down after one of his prolonged runs.
At Lazio he has had a positive four years. In the history books for now are his darting runs in the 2021 derby, resulting in Roma's Ibañez going to pieces and handing Lazio two goals in their 3-0 victory and also his cross for Senad Lulic, to score the second goal, in the 3-1 Supercoppa win over Juventus. Hopefully there is more to come.
Lazio Career (updated April 3, 2024)
Season | Total played (Goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | Europa League | Conference League | Super Coppa |
2019-20 | 40 (1) | 32 | 1 | - | 6 (1) | - | 1 |
2020-21 | 39 (2) | 32 (2) | 2 | 5 | - | - | - |
2021-22 | 39 (3) | 31 (3) | 2 | - | 6 | - | - |
2022-23 | 37 | 28 | 2 | - | 3 | 4 | ​ |
2023-24 | 29 | 20 | 1 | 7 | - | - | 1 |
Total | 184 (6) | 143 (5) | 8 | 12 | 15 (1) | 4 | 2 |
Sources