Two managers under severe pressure take on a massive clash in Serie A as Lazio host a struggling AC Milan side at Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio boss Marco Baroni would have wanted a positive start to life as the club’s new manager, although he suffered an unexpected setback last weekend ahead of the visit of AC Milan this week. The capital side opened their account in Serie A this season with a win over newly promoted Venezia, as Baroni had hoped to follow that up with a win over Udinese away from home.
Within five minutes of the first whistle, Udinese were in the lead, and the hosts produced a similar result right after the break as they doubled the lead through Frenchman Florian Thauvin. For significant periods of the game, Baroni’s men seemed unable to break the opposition down despite the hosts going down to ten men midway through the second period.
Gustav Isaksen could only muster a late consolation goal, and with not much time left after the strike to search for an improbable equaliser, Lazio succumbed to an unwanted defeat. They now face AC Milan in a home tie in Rome, as this is a clash of two managers under immense pressure.
Speaking of pressure, the jury is out on Paulo Fonseca very early into his AC Milan spell. The Former LOSC Lille manager has not had the best of starts as the San Siro boss, and he is yet to taste victory after a draw and a loss in his two opening games.
An opening day draw against Torino proved to be an entertaining game, where substitute Noah Okafor spared Fonseca’s blushes, but the defeat to Parma was a real blow. The newly promoted side barely needed two minutes into the game to take the lead through Dennis Man. While Christian Pulisic pulled out an equaliser midway through the second half, a 77th-minute goal from Parma’s Matteo Cancellieri dealt the final blow.
After the uncomfortable start to life as the AC Milan manager, Fonseca will be desperate to prove a point against Lazio. However, the game away at Lazio will be a tough test for the Rossoneri boss. A win will ease the pressure on Fonseca, although another disappointing result would add to the pressure, which could have a telling effect on his future.
Team News & Tactics
Lazio
Marco Baroni will have a few issues heading into the weekend, especially in his defensive ranks. Left-back Lorenzo Pellegrini was involved in a car crash last week, although he might be involved in the squad. Still, it is unclear whether the manager decides to start him against Milan.
There is also a thigh problem for Mario Gila, while Bologna-linked Nicolo Casale might be left out in anticipation of a move away from Lazio. IN Lazio’s midfield, Baroni will have a clear choice of choosing his trio of Nicolo Rovella, Matias Vecino and Danilo Cataldi in his preferred setup.
Valentin Castellanos will be leading the line for Lazio against AC MIlan alongside Noslin on the right side, with Italy international Mattia Zaccagni on the left, with the latter involved in four of the last six goals scored at Stadio Olimpico.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Marusic; Dele-Bashiru, Rovella, Guendouzi; Noslin, Castellanos, Zaccagni
AC Milan
Paulo Fonseca does not have too many concerns with his squad, with Alvaro Morata still a casualty with a thigh injury following his appearance in the opening-day clash against Torino.
Hence, the AC manager could continue with his experiments on who leads the line, as he has deployed both Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor in the first two games. Fonseca might continue with Okafor in the attack, with Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao on the wings, while pushing Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a more familiar No.10 role.
He could also hand Youssouf Fofana his first start in a Milan shirt in his preferred central midfield spot alongside Tijjani Reijnders. Fonseca will look for a settled partnership in the middle, and the pair might be his best available options right now on
Beyond that, new arrival Emerson Royal, who had a decent game last time out could, find himself on the bench as Davide Calabria could be selected as the starting right-back. Fikayo Tomoro and Strahinja Pavlovic will continue in the central defensive roles.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Okafor
Key Stats
- Lazio have lost their last three games against AC Milan in Serie A.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in AC Milan’s last 6 games in Serie A.
- AC Milan have won six of their last seven matches against Lazio in all competitions.
- AC Milan have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven matches against Lazio in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Noah Okafor
AC Milan desperately need a striker who can regularly score goals, and the unfortunate timing of Alvaro Morata’s injury early into his time at the club does open the door to Okafor. Both the Swiss star and Luka Jovic have their chance to stake a claim. But with Okafor, he can show things from the start in a way he’s used to doing off the bench.
AC Milan will likely start with Okarfor against Lazio, as they are desperate to register their first win of the campaign. The Swiss attacker will have the spotlight on him, as he will hope his fellow attackers provide the ammunition for him to score plenty of goals.
Prediction
Lazio 1-2 AC Milan
AC Milan are not in the best of form starting the new season, although they have the required firepower to kick-start their season in a big way. Facing them are Serie A rivals Lazio, who will put out a fight, especially with the game played on their home turf.
Milan are seen as favourites to clinch three points, despite the difficulties in predicting the likeliest outcome of a game with two big teams. Comparing the quality on both sides, the Rossoneri may have the strongest team here, and by that logic they could take the win.