Lazio will welcome Juventus to Stadio Olimpico in this weekend’s titanic encounter in Serie A.
Juventus will travel to Stadio Olimpico to take on SS Lazio in a clash that will see two out of form teams face off on Saturday.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side looked the most likely team to challenge Inter Milan for the Scudetto heading into 2024. However, post January, Juventus’s form has dropped off massively, reflecting that of a relegation-threatened side.
This has seen the Bianconeri drop down to third spot in Serie A, 17 points off the summit. With just nine more games to go, their chance of securing the Serie A title now lies in ruins. On the other hand, Lazio are no better, as they are currently occupying the ninth spot in Serie A.
With a terrible home form to boot, the Roman giants are struggling to salvage what they can of a forgettable campaign. With both teams also set to face off midweek in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final, the clash on Saturday could be a testing ground of sorts.
The Coppa Italia reflects both clubs’ best chance of securing silverware this season. With Inter Milan already knocked out, the stage is set for either side to go all the way. Whether they will prioritise the mid-week clash over the one at the weekend remains to be seen.
Igor Tudor will aim to turn around the mess left behind by Maurizio Sarri, and it is perhaps apt that it comes against Juventus, a team he served with distinction both as a player and as a coach. There will, however, be no love lost on the night as he aims to get Lazio’s faltering campaign back on track.
Meanwhile, the pressure continues to mount on Allegri following the poor run of results. Unless he secures the Coppa Italia and a second placed finish in Serie A, there is every reason to believe Juventus might look for suitable replacements. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up for the game and their tactics.
Team News & Tactics
SS Lazio
Igor Tudor is still getting his players accustomed to the 3-4-2-1 formation ahead of the 4-3-3 that Sarri implemented at Stadio Olimpico. However, he will have to do so without Ivan Provedel, who is ruled out with an ankle injury. Juventus-owned duo of Nicolo Rovella and Luca Pellegrini are also unlikely to feature. The former is suffering from a groin injury, while Pellegrini is suspended.
While Lazio won their most recent game against Frosinone, it was closer than it appeared. Juventus, despite their poor form, are a far more formidable opponent and are unlikely to gift Lazio opportunities on a platter.
Christos Mandas should start in goal behind the back three of Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli, and Nicolo Casale. Manuel Lazzari and Adam Marusic should offer width as the full-backs with Matteo Guendouzi and Danilo Cataldi holding fort in the middle of the park. Luis Alberto and Mattia Zaccagni should act as dual number tens with Ciro Immobile leading the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Mandas; Gila, Romagnoli, Casale; Lazzari, Guendouzi, Cataldi, Marusic; Alberto, Zaccagni; Immobile
Juventus
The Bianconeri are currently on their worst run of results in 13 years. Given Lazio’s poor run of form at home and unfamiliarity with new management, Juventus will be keen to make the most of the match-up.
However, the visitors will have to do so without Arkadiusz Milik and Carlos Alcaraz, who are struggling with adductor and hamstring injuries, respectively. Star striker Dusan Vlahovic is also unavailable after being sent off against Genoa. This should force Massimiliano Allegri to put his faith in attack in either Kenan Yildiz or Moise Kean.
The 3-5-2 formation appears to be the way forward, with Wojciech Szczesny in goal. The Polish shot-stopper should be protected by the back three of Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, and Danilo. Andrea Cambiaso and Filip Kostic will start as the wing-backs, with the trio of Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie forming the central midfield trifecta.
Federico Chiesa should start upfront alongside Kean. The latter is currently going through a rut where he has not scored in 14 Serie A games this season. Not having scored in 18 Serie A games, Kean is undergoing the worst goal drought by any Juventus striker in the last two decades.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Kean
Key Stats
- Juventus have defeated Lazio 26 times in Serie A since 2004/05 season. Only AC Milan (28 vs Cagliari) and Juventus (27 vs Udinese) have secured more wins against a single opponent in the Italian top flight since then.
- A win on Saturday will see Juventus secure a league double over Lazio for the first time since 2018/19.
- A win on Saturday will see Napoli secure back to back home wins against Juventus in Serie A for the first time since 2001.
- A loss on Saturday will extend Lazio’s losing streak at home in Serie A to four games, their longest such run since 1961.
- Juventus have picked up just seven points in their last eight Serie A games. Only Salernitana, Frosinone and Sassuolo have secured fewer points than the Bianconeri during this time-frame.
Player to Watch
Federico Chiesa
The Italian international is a match winner on his day and will be held responsible to lead the Juventus attack on the night. With both Arkadiusz Milik and Dusan Vlahovic unavailable, the crux of footing the attacking responsibility will fall on the left flank.
Filip Kostic and Adrien Rabiot will look to link up well with Chiesa in an effort to catch Lazio off guard. With Moise Kean and Kenan Yildiz both lacking in confidence and form, the onus to make the difference will certainly fall on Chiesa. As long as he has a good night, Juventus can be confident of coming away with a win.
Prediction
Lazio 1-1 Juventus
Both teams are far from convincing, and it remains to be seen what work was done behind the scenes during the international break. However, Lazio are yet to buy into their new manager’s plans and could find it difficult to get get off the mark on the night. Whether Juventus can take advantage remains the question. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw.
