FEYENOORD – LAZIO | Thursday 6.45pm
The balance in Europa League Group F, which until a week ago saw all four teams tied on five points, has definitely shifted. It was Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio and Austria’s Sturm Graz that took the lead, with both now masters of their own destiny. Last Thursday, the Biancocelesti managed, albeit with some difficulty, to avenge the ugly defeat they suffered in Denmark in the first leg, winning 2-1 against Midtjylland at the Olimpico with goals from Milinkovic-Savic and Pedro. Lazio now have eight points and a better goal difference – the direct clashes ended in a draw – (-1 and -4) than Sturm Graz. This means that by beating De Kuip in Rotterdam, the Capitolini will not have to worry about what happens in the other match of the round. They would in fact be sure to go through as first and avoid the play-offs with the third-placed teams in the Champions League group. Even with a draw, Lazio would still qualify. But there is a real risk of having to settle for second place.
On the other hand, Arne Slot’s Feyenoord, who were surprised by the Austrian outfit (1-0) a week ago, were doomed to win. The Dutch, initially favourites to go through together with Lazio, have made life difficult for themselves and will now play an inside or outside match. It has to be said that even in the Eredivisie their path is not a linear one. They rested at the weekend – Sarri was furious about this: “We and Sturm Graz feel we are being taken for a ride by Uefa!” – But in the previous game they had drawn 1-1 with Fortuna Sittard, slipping to -4 from leading Ajax.
Lazio also slowed down abruptly, suffering a shocking defeat at home to Salernitana (1-3), who in the second half at the Stadio Olimpico pierced three times what until the match with the granata was the least beaten defence in Serie A. The Tuscan coach hopes to have back his striker Immobile for the derby against Roma, scheduled for the weekend. And he will certainly make sure to dose the minutes of several starters. Except for Milinkovic-Savic, who will miss the derby because of the yellow card he picked up on Sunday against Nicola’s side.
Szymanski of Feyenoord
The Prediction
So far, there has never been a shortage of goals in Feyenoord’s Europa League matches and this match should be no exception either. The first leg ended 4-2 to Lazio, with the Dutch only limiting the damage in the final stages. It promises to be another prolific challenge, with both teams scoring. Sarri’s side, despite winning just one of their last 15 European away games, are slight favourites in our opinion.
Feyenoord-Lazio matchday squad
- FEYENOORD (4-3-3): Bijlow; Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Lopez; Kocku, Szymanski, Timber; Jahanbakhsh, Danilo Pereira, Dilrosun.
- LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Basic; Pedro, Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-3
