Serie A preview: Lazio vs. AC Milan

It’s a giant one for AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico, taking up Lazio and never Roma, as they may cut back the hole with Inter to only 5 factors.

The Derby della Madonnina win has undoubtedly improved the temper at Milanello, to not point out among the many followers, after a number of questionable appearances and outcomes. This was fueled by Inter’s draw towards Atalanta on Saturday, giving the Rossoneri one other likelihood to shut in.

Throughout his press convention, Massimiliano Allegri made positive to focus on the significance of the sport, whereas additionally clarifying that it’s not essentially about profitable for the Scudetto race, however moderately to make sure that they at all times do the most effective they will.

Sport date: Sunday, March 15Kick-off time: 20:45 (CET)Venue: Olympic StadiumReferee: Marco Guida (VAR: Daniele Chiffi)

Group information

Matteo Gabbia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are nonetheless on the sidelines because of surgical procedure, whereas Adrien Rabiot is suspended for this one. The Frenchman picked up a yellow card towards Inter and since he was just one away from suspension, that is the sport that he’ll miss.

Santiago Gimenez returned to coaching earlier this week and Allegri even confirmed through the presser that he’s in good situation, each bodily and mentally. Nonetheless, as his return to coaching was so latest, it has been determined to not name him up for tomorrow.

That’s it so far as the absences go, although, that means Allegri has an excellent squad at his disposal all issues thought of. Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic will proceed to protect Mike Maignan’s objective, which is simply proper contemplating the defensive success these days.

On the flanks, Alexis Saelemaekers will preserve his spot after a good show within the derby, whereas Pervis Estupinan may even get the prospect once more. Scoring the winner in a derby undoubtedly ought to offer you continued belief, so it’s good to see Allegri choosing that path right here.

The most important speaking level has been the midfield and who will exchange Rabiot. Samuele Ricci seemed to be an early favorite for the spot, having loved extra of Allegri’s belief, however Ardon Jashari has overtaken the Italian within the race.

It will definitely be an enormous alternative for the Swiss worldwide to indicate what he can do, having impressed right here and there earlier within the season. After all, he’ll group up with the midfield certainties Youssouf Fofana and Luka Modric.

Up entrance, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic will preserve their spots as Allegri is hoping that each can discover the again of the web as quickly as potential. Particularly the American, who’s but to attain in 2026 however did present that his bodily situation is not a difficulty with a hard-working derby show.

Off the bench, Allegri may have choices corresponding to Zachary Athekame and Davide Bartesaghi for the defence, whereas considered one of Niclas Füllkrug and Christopher Nkunku ought to undoubtedly get the chance within the second half.

Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Jashari, Estupinan; Pulisic, Leao.

Predicted bench: Terracciano, Pittarella, Athekame, Odogu, Bartesaghi, Ricci, Nkunku, Füllkrug.

Accidents & suspensions: Gabbia, Gimenez (recovered however not referred to as up), Loftus-Cheek, Rabiot.

The opponents

By Lazio’s requirements, it has been a really poor seaosn to date. They’re tenth within the league standings after selecting up simply 13 factors in 2026 (out of a potential 33) and European competitions are nicely out of attain already, which says lots.

Nonetheless, even when the European route is not viable via the league, the Biancocelesti are nonetheless within the Coppa Italia. The primary semi-final towards Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico ended 2-2, so despite the fact that will probably be troublesome in Bergamo, a Europa League spot stays on the desk.

The larger query, although, is why Lazio have accomplished so poorly this season. Many anticipated extra when Sarri’s return was introduced in the summertime, however any ambition was successfully blocked by the overall switch ban placed on the membership.

Lazio had been subsequently solely in a position to redeem the gamers that they had on mortgage with choices/obligations to purchase, corresponding to Nicolo Rovella, Nuno Tavares and Luca Pellegrini. Whereas that was necessary, not having the ability to make any actual reinforcements actually makes it troublesome to compete.

Luckily for the president Claudio Lotito, the ban was lifted forward of the January switch window and with no restrictions added both, which was a bit stunning as numerous sources steered it will be a zero-sum recreation (to purchase a participant for x quantity, it’s worthwhile to promote for x quantity as nicely).

Nonetheless, star striker Taty Castellanos and the necessary midfielder Matteo Guendouzi had been each bought, for €29m and €28m respectively. Kenneth Taylor (midfielder, Ajax) and Petar Ratkovc (striker, Salzburg) had been introduced in as the principle replacements, whereas Daniel Maldini was additionally secured on mortgage.

The goalkeeper Edoardo Motta was additionally introduced in from Reggiana, which turned out to be essential as Ivan Provedel is at the moment out injured. The identical could be mentioned for Alessio Romagnoli (even when they may strive till the top to get better him) and Danilo Cataldi, which is sort of a blow for Sarri as all three are normally starters.

Apparently, it appears like the previous Milan man and aforementioned Maldini will begin as a false No.9, teaming up with Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni in assault. Patric in midfield may even be one to regulate, seeing as he’s a defender.

Predicted Lazio XI (3-5-2): Motta; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Patric, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Zaccagni.

Predicted bench: Furlanetto, Giacomone, Hysaj, Lazzari, Pellegrini, Belahyane, Primary, Przyborek, Pedro, Noslin, Cancellieri, Dia, Ratkov.

Accidents & suspensions: Cataldi, Gigot, Provedel, Romagnoli, Rovella.

Face to face

Tomorrow’s conflict would be the 195th encounter between Milan and Lazio, with the Rossoneri hoping to construct on their benefit. Certainly, they’ve 87 wins whereas the Biancocelesti have solely mustered up 42, with the remaining 65 video games ending in attracts.

In latest historical past, nonetheless, this fixture has been very even in each sense of the phrase. Within the final 5 video games, Milan have received two, drawn one, and misplaced one. If you happen to restrict the info to Stadio Olimpico clashes, there has by no means been the identical consequence in consecutive video games for the reason that 2019-20 season.

The newest encounter was within the Coppa Italia again in December, and in that one a late objective from Mattia Zaccagni was sufficient for Lazio. Within the reverse fixture within the league, then again, it was Milan that prevailed by the odd objective because of Rafael Leao’s tap-in.

Key information and stats

➤ AC Milan are unbeaten in seven of their final 9 Serie A matches towards Lazio (W6 D1), with their two defeats on this interval approaching 24 January 2023 (0-4) and a pair of March 2025 (1-2).

➤ Lazio haven’t recorded the identical end in any of their final 12 dwelling Serie A matches towards AC Milan (W4 D4 L4 for each groups in that interval). Their most up-to-date assembly on the Stadio Olimpico was a 2-2 draw on 31 August 2024.

➤ AC Milan have scored in 25 of their final 27 matches towards SS Lazio in Serie A, netting a complete of 43 targets within the course of, a mean of 1.6 per recreation; the one two events they failed to attain had been on 26 April 2021 (0-3) and 24 January 2023 (0-4).

➤ Lazio received their final Serie A match towards an opponent with extra factors within the desk initially of the day (2-1 v Sassuolo), following a run of seven consecutive such video games with out success (D2 L5). They final recorded consecutive victories in these sorts of matches in December 2024 (three on that event).

➤ After their successes towards Cremonese and Inter, each with out conceding a objective, AC Milan may register three consecutive Serie A wins with out delivery a objective for the primary time since September (towards Lecce, Bologna and Udinese on that event).

➤ Regardless of their success final day trip, Lazio have collected a most of 37 factors of their first 28 Serie A seasonal matches for the fourth time within the three-points-for-a-win period, after 2004/05 (34), 2007/08 (34) and 2009/10 (26).

➤ AC Milan have picked up 60 factors in 28 Serie A matches this season. Solely twice within the final 20 top- flight campaigns have they recorded at the least 63 factors after their first 29 video games: in 2011-12 (63) and 2021-22 (63).

➤ AC Milan (52.9%) and SS Lazio (52.2%) are two of the three groups with the best duel success price on this Serie A season, together with Inter (52.3%).

➤ Daniel Maldini has now scored for 5 completely different Serie A groups, together with his objective towards Sassuolo for Lazio that means he has netted for AC Milan (2021/22), Cosenza, Spezia, Empoli and now the Biancocelesti. The 2001-born participant is considered one of solely two footballers born in or after 2001 to attain for 5 or extra completely different golf equipment within the competitors, alongside Roberto Piccoli (six).

➤ Lazio are considered one of solely two sides towards which Rafael Leão has scored three or extra targets and supplied three or extra assists in Serie A (3+4), alongside Hellas Verona. The Milan ahead has been concerned in 5 targets throughout his final 5 Serie A appearances towards Lazio (two targets and three assists).

Ones to look at

It appears like Allegri will proceed with Estupinan on the left-hand aspect, which undoubtedly is the correct name after the winner towards Inter. We’ve seen glimpses of what he can do on an excellent day, particularly in assault together with his crossing, however confidence has clearly been a difficulty. Hopefully that’s higher now.

In midfield, changing the suspended Rabiot, Jashari is anticipated to get the prospect. He has undoubtedly impressed when given the prospect however the lack of taking part in time has made issues troublesome. As such, he must seize the chance tomorrow to persuade Allegri totally.

For Lazio, it will be foolish to not point out Gila right here. He might be Lazio’s greatest defender on the pitch tomorrow, as Romagnoli possible will miss out, and Milan’s administration will preserve a detailed eye on him. In any case, it appears a summer time supply is imminent, even when the value tag may very well be excessive.

Lastly, moderately than going with Zaccagni right here as most would do, Lazio’s hazard man in assault lately is certainly Isaksen. He’s in higher kind than the captain and being up towards Estupinan, he might need numerous success together with his 1v1 dribbling and quick motion.

Prediction

Milan are beaming after the derby win, and with Inter solely getting a draw towards Atalanta, most would in all probability say that this can be a basic Rossoneri bottlejob. I, then again, consider that we’ll come away with all three factors tomorrow.

Certain, Rabiot’s absence will weigh closely on the sport, however now could be the time for Allegri and his males to indicate that they will adapt and play in another way to nonetheless get the consequence.

Lazio 0-2 Milan