Lazio v Feyenoord is a match valid for the first day of the Europa League group stage
LAZIO v FEYENOORD | Thursday 9pm
By a curious twist of fate Feyenoord’s new continental adventure will begin exactly where last season’s ended. And that is with a team from the capital: last May, the Dutch surrendered to Roma in the Conference League final in Tirana, wasting the chance to return to lift a European trophy after years. This time, however, they have been drawn in the same group as Lazio, the Giallorossi’s long-time rivals, who will also be the most likely contenders for first place in a group that also includes Denmark’s Midtjylland and Austria’s Sturm Graz.
Both look like they could go a long way in this competition, although, as every time, it will have to be clear who will be relegated from the Champions League in November. It will therefore be crucial to qualify as first, in order to avoid the play-off bogey and snatch directly the pass for the round of 16. Maurizio Sarri’s Biancocelesti will be looking to avoid repeating last season’s mistake, when they finished behind Galatasaray and were subsequently eliminated in the double-header by Porto.
Lazio’s journey in the league has been mixed so far. On Sunday, Romagnoli and his team-mates suffered their first defeat in a direct clash with Napoli, who, with new arrivals Kim and Kvaratskhelia, came back from a Zaccagni goal. For the Capitolini, two away draws (Torino, Sampdoria) and as many home victories against Bologna and Inter. Arne Slot’s team, on the other hand, runs fast in the Eredivisie. Four wins and a draw: only Ajax have done better. Sarri is reportedly thinking of a large turnover: rest for Provedel and Milinkovic, but Casale, Vecino, Hysaj and Cancellieri will be back.
The Prediction
Lazio and Feyenoord, in addition to their form of play, also share a distinctly offensive mentality – the Dutch have scored eight goals in their last two league games – and the odds are very high that they will both score. At least three goals in total in a match in which the Biancocelesti are slight favourites.
Lazio v Feyenoord matchday squad
- LAZIO (4-3-3): Maximiano; Lazzari, Casale, Patric, Hysaj; Basic, Cataldi, Vecino; Cancellieri, Immobile, Zaccagni.
- FEYENOORD (4-3-3): Bijlow; Pedersen, Bjorkan, Trauner, Hancko; Timber, Szymanski, Kokcu; Walemark, Danilo, Dilrosun.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
