LAZIO – MIDTJYLLAND | Thursday 6.45pm
It is truly incredible what is happening in Europa League Group F, Lazio’s group. After four days, all four teams in the group have the same points, five, and have practically the same chance of qualifying for the next round or being relegated to the Conference League. A total balance that had hardly ever been seen at this point of the event. The biancoceleste team is momentarily third due to a question of goal difference, but at the end of the games, the first discriminating factor, in the event of a tie, will be the direct clashes. Difficult, however, to predict what will happen in the next two matches.
It is certain that Lazio have already squandered numerous opportunities to gain the lead in the standings and put an end to the qualification discourse: against the Austrian Sturm Graz they did not go beyond two draws (0-0 in Austria and 2-2 in Rome) and before that we had witnessed the unprecedented Danish debacle against Midtjylland (5-1), the worst defeat of the season for Maurizio Sarri’s men, who were unrecognisable on that occasion. Lazio are clearly suffering from the double commitment and are unable to keep up the same pace they are having in the league. On Sunday, in Bergamo, the Capitolini, despite being without their goal scorer Immobile – the striker will only be available again in January – inflicted their first defeat on Atalanta and achieved their fifth victory in their last six matches. The figure of goals conceded continues to be shocking: Sarri has the best defence in the tournament with only five goals conceded and has not conceded any for six days.
Milinkovic-Savic and his team-mates are eager to avenge the first leg’s embarrassment against the Danes, who remain a very organised and fearsome opponent. And who in Superligaen have not lost in ten rounds, despite being behind in the race for first place. The Tuscan coach should confirm the trident seen at the Gewiss Stadium, formed by Pedro, Felipe Anderson and Zaccagni. Doubts about the presence of Luis Alberto.
Isaksen of Midtjylland
The Prediction
Lazio’s aim is to take the three points and, above all, to do so with as many goals to spare as possible, which is crucial in the event of a tie with the Danes. So far the Biancocelesti have not shone in the Europa League. But on the wings of enthusiasm for the excellent results in the league, they should return to winning ways on the continental field as well. The total number of goals could be at least three.
Lazio-Midtjylland’s likely line-up
- LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Hysaj, Casale, Patric, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Vecino; Pedro, Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni.
- MIDTJYLLAND (4-3-3): Lossl; Tychosen, Dalsgaard, Sviatchenko, Paulinho; Martinez, Olsson, Evander; Isaksen, Dreyer, Pione Sisto.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
