ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Devyne Rensch of AS Roma during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Paolo Di Canio slams former Premier League stars who he feels let Lazio down in the derby. ‘Arsenal gave Nuno Tavares away because he lacks football intelligence, while Matteo Guendouzi is not a leader.’
The Biancocelesti fell to a 1-0 defeat against bitter city rivals Roma in the Derby della Capitale on Sunday.
The only goal of the game was scored by Lorenzo Pellegrini after Nuno Tavares was caught napping in the final third, and he was then substituted at half-time by coach Maurizio Sarri.
Italian media largely pointed the finger of blame at the full-back and Sky Sport Italia pundit Di Canio, a former Lazio hero, agrees.
Di Canio takes apart Lazio stars after derby defeat
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Matteo Guendouzi of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Brayan Cristante of AS Roma during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“Without that error from Nuno Tavares, the derby would’ve probably ended in a draw,” said Di Canio.
“Everyone knows that Tavares lacks football intelligence, but he gets picked because of the way he runs into space. Sarri also has to acknowledge he cannot play in a certain way with Tavares, because this is a player who will struggle when pressed by Roma and end up doing damage.
“He could’ve booted it away or moved the ball, but Sarri must know by now that Tavares doesn’t have that kind of knowledge. If he had that sort of football intelligence, Arsenal wouldn’t have given him away for €4m, would they?”
Paolo Di Canio
Another former Premier League player who ran into trouble during the Derby della Capitale is Guendouzi, as the ex-Arsenal midfielder was sent off after the final whistle for insulting the referee.
It means both Guendouzi and Reda Belahyane will be suspended for at least the next Lazio game in Serie A, possibly more.
“Guendouzi is recognised as a leader by his teammates and fans at Lazio, but I’ve never understood that,” added Di Canio.
“He made big mistakes last season and had the gall to shout at his teammates anyway. He has this fervour, but he really should’ve avoided that red card.”
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