Editing Roberto Di Matteo (section)

==Style of play==
Under his Lazio managers Zeman and [[Dino Zoff]], Di Matteo was frequently deployed in the central [[Midfielder#Defensive midfielder|holding midfield]] role in the team's 4–3–3 formation, in which he was required to aid the team defensively, owing to his formation both as a [[Defender (association football)#Sweeper (libero)|sweeper]] and as a [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|centre-back]] in a zonal defence during his youth in Switzerland.<ref name="Di Matteo, favola azzurra"/><ref name="LAZIO DI ZEMAN"/><ref name="svizzero"/> He was also important in helping his team offensively and creatively, functioning as a [[Midfielder#Deep-lying playmaker (Strolling 10)|deep-lying]] [[playmaker]] for Lazio under Zeman, and helping to set the tempo of his team's play and create chances through his precise passing range, technique, control, finesse, composure, and vision; as such his role was often likened to that of a ''[[Midfielder#Centre-half|metodista]]'' ("centre-half," in Italian football jargon), due to his ability to dictate play in midfield as well as assist his team defensively.<ref name="quando Di Matteo battè gli azzurri"/><ref name="Italian Job"/> During his stint in Rome, he was regarded as one of the best [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|two-way]] [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|central midfielders]] in Italy,<ref name="elogio a Zeman"/> and was also later considered to be one of the top midfielders in the Premier League during his time in England, becoming a key player for Chelsea in the late 90s. Di Matteo was also capable of playing in a more [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|offensive midfield]] roles, due to his ability to make forward surging runs, as well as his accurate long–range shot.<ref name="Italian Job"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/06/21/a-free-agent-as-of-today-could-walsall-star-reunite-with-roberto/ |title=A free agent as of today, could Walsall star reunite with Roberto Di Matteo at Aston Villa? |publisher=HITC |last1=Cusick |first1=Aiden |date=21 June 2016 |access-date=2 May 2022 }}</ref>