Lazio-Verona is a match in Week 6 of Serie A and is played on Sunday at 18:00
A somewhat erratic performance so far for Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio, who last Sunday failed to secure their third consecutive victory at the Stadio Olimpico after Bologna and Inter. Against Napoli, Zaccagni’s goal at the start of the first half had deluded the Biancocelesti, who were convinced that it could be another magical night like the one against the Nerazzurri of ex Inzaghi, but the comeback in Campania signed by the new Azzurri faces Kim and Kvaratskhelia dampened the enthusiasm of the Capitoline fans, who witnessed the first defeat of the season for their favourites. Redemption arrived in Europe, where Lazio debuted with a roaring success against Feyenoord, finalists of the last Conference League. It was a 4-2 win in which the strengths and weaknesses of Immobile’s team-mates were visible, but the three points – fundamental for the race for first place in the round – were never in question.
The priority now is to try and make up ground in the league: Lazio are momentarily ninth, already forced to chase down direct competitors for one of the top four places. In their third consecutive game in front of their home crowd, the Biancocelesti host Verona, fresh from their first win of the season. The 2-1 comeback win in the direct clash with Sampdoria is pure oxygen for Gabriele Cioffi, who had picked up just two points in the first four days and the prospects were anything but rosy after the Verona squad was ‘stripped’ of almost all the best players under Tudor’s management.
Lazio-Verona: the latest line-up news
Henry and Doig
Sarri is expected to rest someone, bearing in mind that Lazio have another cup engagement next Thursday. Romagnoli is likely to be replaced in defence – the former Casale player could start on the first day of the match – while Vecino, who was the star against Feyenoord with a brace, is likely to feature in midfield. The presence of Milinkovic-Savic is certain, less so that of Luis Alberto, who is in the running against Basic. Pedro will be on the bench, but the trident will consist of Immobile, Felipe Anderson and Zaccagni.
Cioffi’s certainties are Veloso, ahead of Tameze, and Faraoni, apparently fully recovered from his ankle problem. In defence Hien will be preferred to Gunter, while on the left flank the coach will rely on Doig, author of the winning goal against Giampaolo’s Blucerchiati. In attack the duel is between Lasagna and Verdi.
The prediction
Beyond the cup exertions, this is a match Lazio cannot miss. The defeat against Napoli last Saturday demands a reaction. That in our opinion will come, although Verona have appeared on the rise in recent outings and could create some problems for the Biancocelesti. Sarri’s side are favourites in a match that is likely to end in a high-scoring affair, just as it did in the last previous fixture – last season at the Stadio Olimpico it finished 3-3 – and in the four matches played since August by Immobile and his team-mates in the capital’s stadium.
Lazio v Verona matchday squad
- LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Vecino, Basic; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni.
- VERONA (3-5-2): Montipò; Dawidovicz, Hien, Ceccherini; Faraoni, Lazovic, Veloso, Ilic, Doig; Lasagna, Henry.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
