Kenneth Taylor opened his scoring account for Lazio on Friday night. The midfielder helped the Rome club secure a win over Genoa, which was only sealed in the 100th minute.
Kenneth Taylor opened his scoring account for Lazio on Friday night in a dramatic 3-2 win over Genoa, a match that had everything: momentum swings, a late twist, and a decisive moment right at the death.
The Dutch midfielder, who only arrived in January after leaving Ajax, was one of the standout figures for the Rome side, not only because of his first goal in a Lazio shirt but also for the control and balance he brought to the middle of the pitch as the game became increasingly frantic.
The contest was ultimately settled in the 100th minute, when Danilo Cataldi converted a pressure-filled penalty deep into stoppage time. It was the type of finish that can define a season, and the reaction inside the stadium reflected that. Moments after the final whistle, Taylor spoke to the Italian media and described the victory as both fortunate and fully deserved, emphasizing the mental resilience Lazio showed when the match threatened to slip away.
This is a great win with a little bit of luck at the end, but it’s absolutely deserved. The team didn’t give up, Taylor said, highlighting how Lazio kept pushing even as the clock ran down. In a match where margins were thin and nerves were tested, that persistence made the difference.
Taylor’s biggest personal moment arrived in the 62nd minute. With Lazio looking to turn their pressure into a more comfortable advantage, the midfielder found space and finished with a clean strike into the far corner to double the lead. It was a composed, confident finish, the kind that immediately underlines why Lazio moved to bring him in. Taylor was quick to credit Gustav Isaksen for the assist, calling it perfect, and he spoke with the self-belief of a player who expects to contribute regularly.
I’m very happy, Isaksen gave me a perfect assist. I can score in every game, because I have that in me, Taylor said. It was a statement that will resonate with Lazio supporters, especially as the club looks for goals from midfield and greater consistency in decisive moments.
The match also offered a clear snapshot of Taylor’s early role under Maurizio Sarri. Lazio welcomed three new signings in January, and Taylor’s arrival from Ajax came at a time when he was not in full competitive rhythm. Sarri, while pleased with the midfielder’s impact, made it clear after the game that there is still work to be done, particularly in terms of physical readiness. The coach grouped Taylor with Petar Ratkov in that regard, noting that both players were coming out of a spell of inactivity.
Taylor and Ratkov arrived during the winter break and therefore came out of a period of inactivity. In my opinion, they both still have room for improvement, especially when it comes to their physical condition, Sarri said. It was not framed as criticism, but as a realistic assessment: Taylor has already shown quality, yet Sarri expects another level once he reaches peak fitness and adapts fully to the tempo and demands of Serie A.
Italian media reaction reflected that same balance between praise and cautious evaluation. Eurosport highlighted Taylor’s influence on Lazio’s midfield structure, suggesting he brought order and calm at key phases of the game, and rated his performance a 7. Corriere dello Sport also acknowledged the quality of his goal and gave him a strong 6.5, but pointed to an area that still needs refinement, questioning whether his running pace is fully convincing yet. In other words, the end product and technical ability are already clear, while the physical side and intensity across the full ninety minutes remain a work in progress.
For Taylor, the early signs are encouraging not only on the pitch but off it as well. He has spoken openly about how quickly he is settling into life in Rome and how welcomed he has felt since joining one of Italy’s most storied clubs. The transition from Amsterdam to the capital of Italy can be a major change, yet Taylor has sounded relaxed and motivated, describing the first weeks as positive and stressing that the club’s stature speaks for itself.
The club needs no introduction. The first few weeks have gone well and I’m enjoying myself. Rome is also a beautiful city. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms, he said, before adding a clear vote of confidence in his new coach. Sarri? He’s a great coach.
Taken together, the night felt like an important step in Taylor’s Lazio story. A first goal, a contribution to a huge win, and a high-pressure ending that tested character as much as tactics. Now the focus turns to consistency: building fitness, maintaining influence over the rhythm of matches, and adding more goals and assists as he grows into Sarri’s system. If this chaotic 3-2 victory over Genoa is an early indicator, Taylor’s adaptation could be quicker, and more impactful, than many expected.
