Gattuso Praises Nuno Tavares, Suggests Lazio Defender Could Shine at Real Madrid
Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso believes that Nuno Tavares, the former Arsenal left-back, has what it takes to play for Real Madrid. After struggling in England, the Portuguese defender has revived his career in Serie A.
Tavares' Journey From Arsenal to Lazio
Tavares joined Arsenal from Benfica in 2021 amid great expectations but failed to become a regular under Mikel Arteta. Loan spells followed at Marseille and Nottingham Forest before he landed at Lazio. The Italian club initially took him on loan but made the deal permanent last year.
Since Gattuso replaced Maurizio Sarri, Lazio’s form has improved significantly. They started the current Serie A season unbeaten with three wins and a draw. Tavares has been a key figure, starting in almost every match and fitting well into Gattuso’s tactics.
Gattuso’s High Praise for Tavares
Speaking to DAZN, Gattuso did not hold back on his admiration. He said, “I’ve always said that Tavares is worthy of Real Madrid. This is a player who ought to be at Real Madrid. He’s got everything it takes, he has pace, right foot, left foot.”
Despite this praise, Gattuso acknowledged the mental challenges Tavares has faced. Comparing his potential to a squandered inheritance, he remarked, “He feels like someone who lost his parents young, received a big inheritance, and in five years it went up in smoke.”
Gattuso stressed the importance of building Tavares’ confidence and focus to unlock his full potential, adding, “He knows he has talent and could’ve had 10-12 years at Real Madrid with his qualities. You just have to get him to understand. He is unusual and after a match he needs his time to recover, but he’s a good lad. You need to get into his head and make him understand.”
From Premier League Struggles to Serie A Stability
Tavares’ £8 million move to Arsenal didn’t pan out as expected due to defensive mistakes and inconsistency. Now in his third season at Lazio, he seems to have found an environment that suits him better, allowing him to develop and settle.
Upcoming Challenge Against Venezia
This weekend, Lazio faces newly promoted Venezia. Tavares will aim to keep up his strong performances as Gattuso’s team looks to stay near the top of Serie A. If he keeps improving and follows his manager’s advice, Tavares might finally reach the heights that once seemed possible when he first arrived in Europe’s top leagues.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- Carabao Cup: Ipswich Town vs Arsenal, 15 Sept 2026, 22:00
- Serie A: Venezia vs Lazio, 19 Sept 2026, 21:45
