Since joining Lazio in the summer of 2024, Boulaye Dia has rapidly established himself as a pivotal figure in the club’s attacking setup, becoming a key consideration in Maurizio Sarri’s tactical decisions.
The Senegalese forward’s integration into Serie A has sparked a fascinating dynamic at the heart of Lazio’s offence, especially in relation to his competition with teammate Taty Castellanos.
Roberto Rambaudi, former Lazio player and current football analyst, offered incisive commentary on this ongoing internal contest during a recent interview on Radiosei.
His analysis highlighted how Sarri’s choice between Dia and Castellanos hinges largely on the style of play the coach intends to deploy.
“Dia or Castellanos? It all depends on the type of game Sarri wants to play,” Rambaudi explained. “If the approach involves operating in tight spaces and maintaining possession, Castellanos provides more solutions.
However, if the strategy calls for stretching the play with deep runs and rapid transitions, Dia is the natural fit.”
This observation encapsulates the complementary qualities of the two forwards. Boulaye Dia is renowned for his pace, his instinctive ability to exploit open spaces, and his sharp, forward-driving runs.
Such traits make him an invaluable asset in a counter-attacking or transition-focused setup. On the other hand, Castellanos excels in scenarios demanding control and ball retention, often dropping deeper to link play and create opportunities within possession-based systems.
Rambaudi went further to stress the importance of Sarri’s tactical acumen in managing these distinct profiles: “Ultimately, it depends on what the coach requires from his striker — whether to come deeper to collect the ball or to spearhead the attack by running into space.
The real challenge for a coach is to maximize each player’s strengths to benefit the team.”
Since his arrival in the Italian capital, Dia’s adaptation to Lazio’s style has been commendable. Throughout the 2024-2025 season, he has featured in 46 matches across all competitions, netting 14 goals and contributing 4 assists.
These statistics affirm his capability to perform consistently at the top level of European football and underline his growing influence within the squad.
Rambaudi’s insights reflect a broader strategic perspective within Lazio’s ranks. Dia’s versatility offers Sarri a valuable tactical tool, allowing for flexible attacking schemes that can be tailored to the opponent or specific moments in a match.
This adaptability is particularly crucial in a league as competitive and tactically nuanced as Serie A.
As Lazio continues to refine its offensive identity under Sarri, the question emerges: could Boulaye Dia be the linchpin around which the team’s future attack is constructed? His blend of speed, directness, and technical ability positions him as a potential leader of Lazio’s forward line, capable of influencing outcomes with his dynamic presence.
In a squad boasting multiple attacking talents, Sarri’s ongoing decisions between Dia and Castellanos underscore the subtle balancing act required to harness individual qualities within a cohesive tactical framework.
The season ahead will likely reveal how this duel shapes Lazio’s ambitions and results, with Dia’s role central to the club’s evolving narrative on the pitch.
