Targeting a Stellar Season to Earn Argentina World Cup Spot; Sarri Eager to Elevate His Game.
As the new season approaches, starting with the training camp at Formello in a week, Lazio and Maurizio Sarri have a strong ally in Taty Castellanos. The forward is very happy at Lazio (a point he recently emphasized in an interview with a newspaper in his native country) and is eager for the season to begin. Market delays, team unrest, and general uncertainties don`t concern him. Castellanos is solely focused on continuing his development and performing well. He believes, with certainty, that Lazio is the ideal environment to pursue his ambitions. Sarri`s return to the bench is a significant factor, providing an added boost, especially since they previously worked together during his first season in Italy. While he had a good relationship with Marco Baroni, the return of “The Commander” offers a distinct extra motivation.
The Big Dream
Taty is, in essence, champing at the bit, and not just verbally. His current break is an active holiday, where amidst leisure activities (as one would expect on vacation), he incorporates daily training sessions to maintain peak physical condition. He aims to arrive at the training camp sharp and ready for an immediate strong start to what he considers one of the most pivotal seasons of his career. This year culminates with the American World Cup, a tournament Castellanos dreams of playing in for Argentina. This dream is far from impossible, but equally, it`s not easily achieved given the formidable competition. Last season, he broke into the national team setup, making his debut and playing a subsequent match. This in itself is excellent news, as many talented Argentine players never get close to the national squad. However, coach Scaloni hasn`t called him up for the last two international windows. Taty was injured in March, but could have been available in June. Despite being initially pre-selected, he wasn`t included in the final squad. Nevertheless, the `game` remains wide open. The Lazio striker has a full year to convince Scaloni to rely on him again. The Argentine coach holds him in high regard – otherwise he wouldn`t have called him up previously – and is certainly open to selecting him. The onus is on Castellanos to fully capitalize on the opportunities he gets at Lazio to strengthen his case for a regular spot in the national team. This specific ambition makes him a valuable asset for both Sarri and the entire Lazio club.
The Project
“The Commander” is well-acquainted with Castellanos. He personally approved the signing in the summer of 2023 when Lazio acquired him from Girona. He then coached him during the Argentine`s debut season in Serie A. Now, Sarri finds him more mature and, crucially, more adapted to the nuances of Italian football. While Taty didn`t score prolifically under Sarri initially (partly due to Ciro Immobile`s presence), last season he netted 14 goals, making him the team`s joint top scorer alongside Pedro. Sarri recently commented at a clinic in Castiglione della Pescaia in mid-June: “He scores beautiful goals, but not always the easy ones; he is nevertheless a very strong player.” This implies Sarri will work to improve his finishing, including converting simpler chances. However, goals aside, Castellanos already fits Sarri`s tactical system well. He excels at linking play between midfield and attack, makes a significant contribution defensively, and his movement and hold-up play create space and opportunities for midfielders making runs. These are all hallmarks of Sarri`s style. Furthermore, he possesses the South American `garra` (grit/determination), a trait always beneficial, particularly when confronting challenges. And the upcoming season promises to have its share of obstacles.
