Why Lazio’s Mediocrity Will Continue Until They Improve Their Disciplinary Record

Lazio’s disciplinary record reflects Maurizio Sarri’s aggressive, front-foot philosophy, but the Biancocelesti will never be consistent if they continue to rack up the most red cards in Serie A.

Lazio’s second-placed finish in 2022-23 was their highest in 23 years, and signalled the start of something potentially fruitful under Maurizio Sarri.

That relationship, of course, only lasted until the following March before Sarri resigned, citing a conflict with the club’s hierarchy over transfers, or lack thereof.

Sarri criticized the Lazio board once again this month, claiming that with “one or two” more additions Lazio could become a “higher-level” team.

Lucky for the club’s officials, they need not worry about another resignation with the 67-year-old fiercely loyal to their cause, even claiming that had he been at any other team who were handed a transfer ban, he would have left immediately.

Since that second-place finish three seasons ago, Lazio have reset to their default mediocrity in the league, finishing seventh in the following two campaigns.

There are no doubt plenty of narratives feeding into why Lazio are struggling to keep pace with the leading pack – not least the transfer ban that has lifted as of January 2026 – but one aspect of their game is somewhat overlooked.

Lazio Have the Most Red Cards in Serie A This Season

As the campaign ticks past the halfway stage, Lazio once again find themselves with the worst disciplinary record in Serie A.

It marks the third season in a row that they rank top of the pile.

• 2023-24: 99 yellow cards / 5 red cards – 114 booking points
• 2024-25: 96 yellow cards / 8 red cards – 120 booking points
• 2025-26: 39 yellow cards / 7 red cards – 60 booking points*

*season ongoing

Fortunately for Lazio, Matteo Guendouzi’s move to Fernerbache means their biggest offender will no longer be racking up yellows and reds. The Frenchman leaves with six yellow cards and a sending off in the Derby della Capitale back in September.

However, a team total of seven red cards so far is abnormally high at this stage. As the season stats highlight, Lazio are only one off equalling their total tally from 2024-25.

It is also worth noting that at their current rate, they would finish the season with 13 red cards. Not since the 2017-18 season, where both Napoli and Juventus finished with 13, has a team racked up that many sending offs.

Why Lazio Must Improve Their Disciplinary Record

Lazio playing on a knife edge is nothing new. No matter the manager or the players, they are expected to be aggressive; their fanbase demands it.

However, it is clear they are an easy target. Teams will be well aware of the kinds of players who are susceptible to be cautioned – and even with Guendouzi gone – the likes of Mattia Zaccagni and Danilo Cataldi are easier than most to bait.

Amongst the comments made about Lazio’s board, Maurizio Sarri admitted this has been the “hardest season” of his career.

He said: “A transfer ban, injuries, suspensions, new players to integrate: this is the toughest campaign of my career. In Serie A I’ve never gone through so many difficulties. But I still go to training every day with pleasure.”

Even Sarri has been left scrambling to plug the holes left by unnecessary suspensions, which have left Lazio short-handed in key games.

Interestingly, of the seven red cards that Lazio have registered, there have been three instances of two dismissals in the same game.

This almost certainly cost them points in the 1-0 defeat against Roma in September, with a fightback effectively ruled out after Reda Belahyane was sent off, before Guendouzi’s post-whistle outburst.

Similarly Tijjani Noslin and Adam Marusic were both sent off towards the end of the 2-0 loss against Napoli earlier this month.

Lazio are among three teams in Serie A that have dropped the most points relative to their half-time scoreline, with a total of four. With nearly all of their red cards coming in the second-half, it is not hard to see why.

There is a feeling that, with a bit of restraint, these results may well have been different had Lazio been able to compete until the finals whistle.

The Biancocelesti find themselves six points behind the Europa Conference League berth, which is a deficit that can easily be made up with a string of positive results.