Lazio are aiming to stitch together a consistent run of results as they face an AC Milan side keen to keep pace in the Serie A title race.
Stefano Pioli had demanded a stern response from his team after their 5-1 mauling at the hands of rivals Inter Milan a few weeks ago. His team came up with a goalless draw with Newcastle United in the Champions League and managed victories over Hellas Verona and Cagliari to get their title hunt back on track. AC Milan will next face Lazio on Saturday.
The Rossoneri are level on points at the top with Inter Milan, who lost their midweek clash to Sassuolo at San Siro. Only goal difference keeps Pioli’s side in second spot. But there is growing pressure from teams behind for Milan to keep their momentum going.
🗣️ Stefano Pioli on continuity, managing minutes and individual displays 🎙️#CagliariMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/FjAsmiN4Jw
— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 27, 2023
AC Milan now host Lazio at San Siro in what Pioli will consider a must-win game. Milan did finish the previous season behind in the standings to their Saturday opponents. But this season, they have had a flawless home record to back upon as Pioli’s men will enter this clash as favourites.
Maurizio Sarri will aim to stitch together a consistent run of results following a disappointing start to their campaign. Their midweek win over Torino was only Lazio’s second of this Serie A season and would have come as a relief for their manager, who was coming under increasing pressure.
There is the general expectation to improve their fortunes from last season’s finish. But Lazio were never considered for the title anyway. Yet, Sarri would have wanted a better start to the campaign. Their recent results have been positive, but the manager would want to capitalise and eyes a big victory away at San Siro.
Lazio also have matters to settle in the UEFA Champions League after this clash. But for now, Sarri will focus on improving their away record this term. The team has lost two of their three outings so far, and the manager would like to see an immediate improvement in that aspect.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
Stefano Pioli will tinker with his selection again as AC Milan continue to have some injury problems with their squad. Rade Krunic is expected to miss out with a muscular problem again, meaning one of Yunus Musah and Yacine Adli will have to assume the role at the base of Milan’s midfield.
Back to the grind! 💪#MilanLazio awaits ⚽#SempreMilan
Brought to you by @play_eFootball pic.twitter.com/yAtRycRniv
— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 28, 2023
Adli might get the nod over the American, with Tijjani Reijnders and Ruben Loftus-Cheek on either side of the midfield three. Ismael Bennacer misses out as their long-term absentee, while there are doubts over Davide Calabria’s participation.
Alessandro Florenzi will deputise for the captain at right back, with the central defensive partnership of Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori in place for Pioli. Further behind, Mike Maignan will return after missing the last two games, meaning deputy Marco Sportiello will drop down to the bench once again.
Noah Okafor may have impressed and scored his first Milan goal, but the Swiss star will see the face of the bench on Saturday with Olivier Giroud set to assume his starting role. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic will offer support from the wide attacking areas.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Florenzi, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Adli, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
Lazio
Maurizio Sarri is expected to ring the changes from the side that started in midfield. While Nicolo Rovella was hoping to keep his place in the midfield, Danilo Cataldi could take his place at the base. Besides him, Luis Alberto will keep his place, while Matteo Guendouzi and Daichi Kamada will fight for a spot on the right side to replace midweek goalscorer Matias Vecino.
🏥 Alessio Romagnoli sottoposto ad esami clinici e strumentali presso @PaideiaHospital
➡️ https://t.co/mymRuHGtwN pic.twitter.com/s9T0AVbG50
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) September 28, 2023
Kamada could get the nod there, although Sarri is yet to show his preferred midfield trio combination this season. Alessio Romagnoli suffered a nasal fracture in midweek that could keep him out for a short period.
Either way, he may sit out the Milan trip and recuperate for their midweek Champions League clash. Nicolo Casale and Patric will assume the central defensive partnership, with Adam Marusic and Luca Pellegrini managing on the flanks.
In the attack, Sarri would certainly back on Ciro Immobile leading the line for Lazio. Felipe Anderson will likely begin the game on the right flank, while Mattia Zaccagni will provide support on the left-hand side of the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Casale, Patric, Pellegrini; Kamada, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
Key Stats
- AC Milan have won eight of their last nine matches in Serie A.
- AC Milan have been winning at both half-time and full-time in their last 4 home matches against Lazio in all competitions.
- AC Milan have been winning at both half-time and full-time in 8 of their last 9 matches in Serie A.
- Lazio have lost two of their three away games in Serie A this season.
- Lazio have lost six of their last seven league meetings with Milan at San Siro.
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao’s first match as captain and he scores the winner ✅ pic.twitter.com/ygVtaPzOUi
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) September 23, 2023
The Portuguese international came into the spotlight following his performance against Newcastle United during their Champions League opener. On either side of that game, he scored against rivals Inter and then with Hellas Verona, which also proved to be the match-winning strike.
The questions raised on Leao have largely to do with consistency, and to be fair, he has shown that after a slow start to the campaign. However, the 24-year-old needs to assert himself in games, and big ones like against Lazio on Saturday.
Prediction
AC Milan 2-0 Lazio
Maurizio Sarri will hope for an upturn in form after their recent victory over Torino. But this trip to the San Siro will prove disruptive for Lazio. The Rossoneri are the clear favourites to take three points and maintain their place at the summit.
Lazio have proved their mettle as a good team with the occasional knack for getting big results, but Milan have the quality to contain Sarri’s side. They are also hitting top form again, and may expect them to push ahead with a title challenge alongside the likes of Inter, Napoli and Juventus.
