Nuno Tavares, the Portuguese left-back on loan from Arsenal, recently made headlines as he returned from injury to aid Lazio's progression in the Europa League. However, his controversial behavior in the aftermath of a significant match has stirred discontent among fans and highlighted the tension surrounding the club following a recent humiliating defeat.
Last week, Tavares recovered from a muscular injury that had sidelined him before a Serie A game against Udinese. Despite his earlier reported fitness issues, Lazio head coach Marco Baroni indicated that Tavares could return for Lazio’s crucial Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen on March 13, 2025. Tavares did just that, featuring for 67 minutes in Lazio's 1-1 draw, which allowed the club to advance in the tournament by a narrow 2-1 aggregate score.
However, the joy of Tavares' return was short-lived for Lazio followers. The team faced a dismal 5-0 defeat against Bologna just three days later, drawing attention to Tavares’ absence from the pitch and raising questions regarding his commitment. He had opted out of that match citing physical issues during warm-ups, leaving the defensive line vulnerable and causing further frustration among supporters.
Reports from Il Messaggero indicated that Tavares was expected to undergo medical tests to assess his condition on March 17, 2025. Yet, Tavares chose to fly to join the Portuguese national team instead of attending these tests, prompting reactions from frustrated Lazio fans. Social media was abuzz with criticism when Tavares shared a travel photo from the airport, leading to unpleasant comments from the crowd who felt betrayed by his decision.
"Lazio fans replied with some unpleasant comments," noted the report from Il Messaggero, reflecting the divide between the player’s personal commitments and the expectations of his club's supporters.
Despite the backlash, Tavares is keen to assert his fitness, reportedly working hard in the gym ahead of Portugal's Nations League quarter-final against Denmark. With the ongoing competition, he aims to reclaim his spot, although Nuno Mendes is currently favored for the left-back position.
Tavares enjoyed a stellar start to the season, registering eight assists in Serie A prior to his recurring injuries that have hampered his contributions. The 25-year-old remains a key figure in Lazio's pursuit of Champions League football, with the team currently positioned sixth in Serie A – just two points off the top four, but with the worst goal difference in the top nine following the Bologna debacle.
On another note, Lazio's management is reportedly weighing the possibility of activating their option to buy Tavares for around €6 million, which includes conditions for a 50% sell-on fee to Arsenal. This move is viewed as a favorable deal given his talent and potential impact on the squad.
Looking ahead, Tavares will rejoin Lazio to prepare for their Europa League quarter-final against Bodo/Glimt, while also vying for a spot in the starting lineup for Portugal’s upcoming matches. Given the unfolding circumstances, he will need to prove to both his club and national teams that he is worth the investment.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Tavares as he navigates these challenges, aiming to restore confidence in himself among Lazio supporters while performing at a high level on the international platform. The narrative surrounding his commitment, injury, and performance will define not only his future at Lazio but his potential role within the Portuguese national team.
