Paul Gascoigne and Lazio proved to be an interesting experiment. It was a bond that showed glimpses of potential to suit both parties. Although, this potential only surfaced on occasion during a rollercoaster three-year spell in Rome.
Gazza was one of England’s most revered players in the 1980s and 90s. The eccentric forward was famous for his antics and was followed everywhere by the paparazzi. But, the cheeky Geordie also had incredible footballing talent. He rose through the ranks at Newcastle United and became an instant success.
Gascoigne proved himself capable of competing at the elite level. The way Gazza also played the game endeared the crowds. A graceful touch, bursts of pace and the element of unpredictability gave the English forward an edge over opponents.
As Newcastle faced financial trouble in 1988, the club sold Gascoigne to Spurs. Again, Gazza continued to display his talent and also broke into the England setup. It was here where the mercurial player rose to international stardom. Especially at Italia 90, where a young Gascoigne entertained with tricks and incredible technical ability.
After England departed at the semi-final stage, Gascoigne returned to Spurs but endured a tough spell. In particular, he suffered a severe cruciate ligament injury during the 1990/91 FA Cup final. The setback then kept him out for most of the following campaign.
Whilst on the sidelines, it was already public knowledge that Gazza was heading to Lazio. The Aquile’s new owner, Sergio Cragnotti, admired Gascoigne. As a result, he saw the young forward as the marquee signing to mark his takeover at the club.
However, the transfer was unpredictable and seemed like speculation rather than fact. This manner in which the transfer developed came to signify the unstable partnership that was to come between Gascoigne and Lazio.
Lazio Gets Gascoigne to Shock the World
After 18 months of speculation, back page headlines and rumors, Gascoigne and Lazio’s transfer was finally complete in July 1992. The forward arrived in Rome for an estimated £5.5 million and became one of the handful of English players to join a Serie A club.
Completing the transfer served as a power move by Cragnotti. Lazio were enjoying a stable period in Serie A after three consecutive mid-table finishes between 1988 and 1991. However, under the strict regime of Dino Zoff and the funding of Cragnotti, the Aquile had aspirations to break into Italian football’s elite.
Gazza was seen as the man to lead Lazio into the new dawn. Immediately, fans were infatuated with their new signing and thousands greeted their new signing at the airport upon his arrival.
While the adoring fans were relishing their new high-profile signing, Zoff was at odds with his new player from the outset. Gazza lacked fitness following an entire season on the injury table and was thrust back into a tough training regimen under Zoff.
Typical Gascoigne Boom or Bust
Inevitably, Gascoigne was not involved in the first-team squad for the first three matches, which Lazio drew.
His highly anticipated debut then came in late December during a 1-1 draw with Genoa. Gazza only played 45 minutes before getting subbed off at half time. However, he showed tenacity, passion, energy and creativity in a short debut to demonstrate his potential to perform in Serie A.
Zoff slowly eased Gascoigne into first-team action and his fitness and form started to build. By December 1992, Gazza started to show glimpses of his previous best. In a Derby della Capitale against Roma, Lazio trailed 1-0 heading into the closing stages. But, Gazza opened his Aquile account in perfect style – an 89th-minute header to send the watching Olimpico di Roma into delirium.
The moment etched Gazza’s name into Lazio folklore and made the fans even more besotted with their vibrant English star. For Gascoigne, the goal gave him more confidence to strike in the following match, a 3-2 win over Pescara.
Yet, the window for an upturn in form dwindled once again. Form and fitness meant Gazza only featured a handful of times for Lazio between December 1992 and March 1993.
Late in the season, a familiar pattern emerged when Zoff returned Gascoigne to the first team. In his last eight starts of the campaign, Gazza contributed with two goals and three assists to help Lazio to a fifth-place finish.
Even though Lazio had achieved their highest top-flight position since 1979, Gazza’s influence throughout the campaign was questionable. His struggles of being in and out of the squad continued to raise question marks over his commitment and suitability to perform consistently in Serie A.
Gascoigne and Lazio Growing Apart
Gascoigne showed he had the potential to perform in Serie A. But his struggles off the field continued to plague his brilliance.
Before the 1993/94 season, Gascoigne returned to pre-season training overweight and out of shape. Aware of Gazza’s talents, Zoff persisted with his troubled star and explained he could work his way back into the squad after losing two stone.
Although Gazza stuck to his training program and worked his way into the starting XI, his form continued to decline. In the entire 1993/94 season, Gascoigne only played 17 Serie A matches and completed the full 90 minutes just ten times.
It was a sign that the once bright English forward was struggling with injuries, decreasing form, fitness and off-field issues. Another long-term injury following a tackle with Alessandro Nesta late in the 1993/94 campaign meant Gazza then missed most of the next season too.
Gazza in Rome: What Could Have Been
A once-in-a-generation talent and a player like no other, Gazza had the potential to be one of the world’s best. Clearly, Zoff and Cragnotti saw the potential to take Gascoigne to new heights. Although the tricky Geordie displayed occasionally moments of world-class quality, his consistency and fitness proved to be a significant barrier.
As Gazza was in the treatment room or trying to rediscover his form, Lazio went from strength to strength. The Aquile enjoyed one of their best-ever spells, finishing fifth, fourth and second between 1992 and 1995.
The move proved to be more trouble than it was worth for both parties and Gascoigne eventually left to join Rangers in 1995. Yet there is always the question of what more Lazio might have achieved if Gazza, Zoff and Cragnotti were all able to pull in the same direction for an entire season.