Nuno Tavares was left in tears after picking up a fresh injury during Lazio’s Europa League loss to Bodo/Glimt. The left-back, currently on loan from Arsenal, had been enjoying a promising stint with the Italian side after struggling to settle in the Premier League following his £8 million move to the Gunners in 2021.
Tavares initially impressed at Lazio, providing nine assists in 26 appearances and helping the team reach the quarter-finals of both the Coppa Italia and the Europa League. However, his season has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries, with five different setbacks causing him to miss 14 games.
On Thursday night, he was making a return from an adductor injury and came off the bench during the second leg of Lazio’s Europa League tie, with the team trailing 2-0 from the first leg. Although Lazio equalized late to force extra-time, Tavares lasted only four minutes before suffering a new muscle issue, visibly emotional as he left the pitch in tears.
Teammate Matteo Guendouzi and the home fans tried to comfort the Portuguese international, while manager Marco Baroni expressed his disappointment at the setback. Baroni praised Tavares’ efforts in training and his impact on the pitch, stating the injury was a tough blow for both the player and the team.
Lazio briefly led in extra-time through Boulaye Dia, but Bodo/Glimt equalized and eventually won 3-2 in a penalty shootout. Baroni expressed pride in his team’s performance despite the heartbreaking exit, emphasizing the need to rally and finish strong in Serie A.
Leave a Reply