 However, by mid-season, Zárate hit a dip in form and found himself being substituted for captain Tommaso Rocchi, who was returning to form following serious injury.On 28 February, Zárate scored both Lazio goals in a 2–0 win at the Olimpico against Bologna; he became the sixth-highest top scorer in the 2008–09 Serie A with ten goals.On 13 May, Zárate won the Coppa Italia with Lazio, scoring a fourth-minute goal in the 1–1 draw with Sampdoria in the final, as well as a penalty in the victorious shootout.