Lazio will take on Juventus in a tie that could have a telling impact in the race for a top-four finish.
Second-placed Lazio will welcome top-four hopefuls Juventus to Stadio Olimpico in a tie that should influence the race for a UEFA Champions League spot for both sides.
Just 11 points separate the second and seventh spots in Serie A this season with ten games to go. Ironically, Juventus would have been in the second spot themselves, ahead of Lazio had they not been deducted 15 points earlier this year.
The very fact that Massimiliano Allegri’s side are still in contention for a UEFA Champions League spot speaks volumes about their character and ability to regroup when under adversity. In fact, no team has lost fewer games than Juventus in Serie A since the turn of the year.
Allegri and co. will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico on the back of a heated Coppa Italia semi-final clash against Inter Milan at the weekend. The Bianconeri surrendered a one-goal lead in stoppage time as the first leg ended all square.
High on confidence, Juventus will be keen for their football to do the talking this week. Issues concerning racism were prevalent at the Coppa Italia clash vs Inter and the Bianconeri will be keen to distance themselves from the backlash.
Lazio are a formidable side at home and have been more or less consistent over the course of the campaign. Despite falling well short in the reverse fixture, they will prove to be dogged contenders. It promises to be an exciting game between two sides keen to establish their dominance in the league. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Lazio
❌ Curva Nord e Tribuna Tevere esaurite
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Disponibilità in Curva Maestrelli e Tribuna Monte Mario ➡️ https://t.co/3ati7fC3LEAVANTI LAZIO, AVANTI LAZIALI 👊 pic.twitter.com/BdD2UMyVQk
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) April 5, 2023
Maurizio Sarri’s side have taken advantage of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s poor results of late to rise up to second in the Serie A rankings. A major reason for their success this season has been a watertight defence that has let in a mere 19 goals in 28 top-flight matches.
The backline will be reinforced by the return of Adam Marusic, who was suspended last time out. With top scorer Ciro Immobile also back, Sarri has the tools at his disposal to catch Juventus cold. A win will improve Napoli’s stranglehold on the second spot while also tripping up Juventus’s chances of finishing in the top four. Two birds with one stone.
Lazio will be expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation that is freely flexible and will make the most of their approach to keeping the ball. Ivan Provedel should start in goal behind the familiar backline of Elseid Hysaj, Nicolo Casale, Alessio Romagnoli and Adam Marusic.
Danilo Cataldi will hold the fort in central midfield with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto pulling strings on his flanks. The duo will provide the attacking impetus from the middle of the park and supply the Lazio frontline with the ball to wreak havoc in the opposition box.
Immobile’s return upfront should give the home side a focal point in the attack. The Italian veteran will also help bring Mattia Zaccagni and Felipe Anderson into play by holding up the ball. The trio could catch Juventus off guard, especially if they switch off and limit the Bianconeri full-backs from being too adventurous on the night.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Hysaj, Casale, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
Juventus
The visitors won the reverse fixture 3-0 courtesy of a double from Moise Kean last year. The oft-forgotten Juventus attacker was the hero last time around against Hellas Verona, scoring the lone goal in their third straight league win. He will be missed on the night due to a suspension, hampering Allegri’s plans to potentially call in the changes.
With games coming thick and fast, the Bianconeri will need to manage their squad well. This will be difficult with several key players unfit or partially fit. Federico Chiesa’s injury troubles are not behind him and he is likely to settle for a spot on the bench.
The same can be said of Paul Pogba and Leonardo Bonucci if at all they end up making the match squad. Juan Cuadrado received his marching orders against Inter but his suspension only applies to the Coppa Italia, handing Juventus a reprieve in the league.
A 3-5-2 formation appears to be the way forward with first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny returning to the starting lineup. He should be protected by a three-man rearguard of Danilo, Gleison Bremer and Alex Sandro. Bremer, in particular, will be keen to make amends for conceding the penalty against Inter earlier in the week.
Contagem regressiva para #LazioJuve ⏳ pic.twitter.com/q8y3n50Hu3
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcpt) April 6, 2023
Juan Cuadrado and Filip Kostic will continue as the full-backs. The duo will have their work cut out against Anderson and Zaccagni. Milinkovic-Savic could also push further up on the right, limiting Kostic’s freedom to push forward and aid the attack.
Manuel Locatelli should occupy the focal point in the central midfield with Nicolo Fagioli and Adrien Rabiot for close support. Angel Di Maria should start upfront alongside Arkadiusz Milik, who is back available. Dusan Vlahovic has been struggling of late and will need to roll up his socks.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Milik
Key Stats
- Lazio have conceded just 19 goals in Serie A this season, the least of any side in the Italian top flight.
- Lazio have kept 17 clean sheets in Serie A this season, the most of any side in the league.
- A win on the night will see Juventus record their 100th win over Lazio in all competitions, in their 190th outing.
- Juventus and Salernitana are the only two sides to score three or more goals against Lazio in the league this season.
- Lazio have failed to beat Juventus in their last seven meetings across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Sergej-Milinkovic Savic
The Serbian international is a dominant midfielder and is a dominant presence on the right side of the midfield. This could especially be critical given that he could keep Kostic under check, largely limiting Juventus’s ability to attack from the left flank.
Working in tandem with Felipe Anderson and Elseid Hysaj, Lazio could overwhelm the Juventus left, even pushing Rabiot to contribute more to defensive actions. It should offset Juventus’s numerical advantage in the middle of the park and give Sarri the freedom to implement his Sarri-ball tactics.
Milinkovic-Savic is also an excellent goalscorer and can hit the ball sweetly if given the freedom. With Filip Kostic and Adrien Rabiot largely tied down, the crux to creating opportunities will fall to Angel Di Maria, isolating Milik upfront. This should work in Lazio’s favour given their rock solid defence this season.
Prediction
SS Lazio 2-1 Juventus
Lazio are better rested than Juventus and also have two key players back available for the game. Maurizio Sarri will have learnt his lessons from the 3-0 loss earlier in the season and is unlikely to fall for the same tactics again. Juventus will put up a good fight but in the end, Lazio’s balance and improved energy levels should swing the tie in their favour.
