Lazio vs Milan: Match Preview
The Stadio Olimpico hosts Lazio vs Milan in Matchday 30 of the 2019/20 Serie A.
Looking at the previous ten matches between the two sides, the Biancocelesti have won on three occasions, the Rossoneri have won on four occasions and there have been three draws. In more recent times, Lazio defeated Milan 2-1 at the San Siro in Matchday 11 of the 2019/20 campaign.
In regards to form in the Serie A this campaign, Simone Inzaghi’s team sits in second with a record of 21W-5D-3L (68 points), while Stefano Pioli’s side sits in seventh with a record of 12W-7D-10L (43 points). The last round of calcio saw the Biancocelesti defeat Torino 2-1 and the Rossoneri draw Spal 2-2.
Expected Starting Lineups
Lazio (3-5-1-1): Strakosha; Patric, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Parolo, Jony; Luis Alberto, Correa.
Suspended: Caicedo, Immobile
Yellow-Carded: Acerbi, Cataldi, Lazzari
Unavailable: Luiz Felipe, Marusic, Lulic
Milan (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Conti, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Theo Hernández; Kessié, Bennacer; Saelemaekers, Paquetá, Çalhanoglu; Rebic.
Suspended: None
Yellow-Carded: Musacchio, Romagnoli
Unavailable: Castillejo, Duarte, Musacchio
Prediction
This match takes place after Lazio won 2-1 in Turin against Torino. It was a deserved result for the Biancocelesti who dominated nearly every part of the match. Ciro Immobile and Marco Parolo were the heroes; the central midfielder scored his first goal this season (and winning goal) with a powerful strike from outside the box in the 71st minute. The ball ricocheted off Bremer’s leg and fooled Salvatore Sirigu making him move in the wrong direction. Parolo has worn the armband in replace of Senad Lulic the past two matches and has served well for the Biancocelesti. He has led by example and has been a leader for his club. As for Immobile, he increased his tally to 29 goals and is seven goals back of tying Gonzalo Higuaín’s record.
The last time these two teams met back in November, it was an inspirational win for Lazio. It marked the first time Lazio defeated Milan at the San Siro since 1989. A span of over 30 years passed since the last time the Biancocelesti were able to defeat their rivals away from home. Immobile was a major factor in their success that evening and will now need to make do without their star striker. The Biancocelesti will have their hands full Saturday evening as Felipe Caicedo and Immobile will be serving a one-game suspension.
As for the Rossoneri, they started their season winning three of their first seven matches. They started poorly under Marco Giampaolo but since the appointment of Stefano Piolo, the club has improved immensely. In their past six Serie A matches, they have shown good form with three wins, one loss and two draws. In their recent match against SPAL, Rafael Leão and an own goal from Francesco Vicari late in injury time helped the Rossoneri overcome a two-goal deficit. Milan managed to steal a crucial point and will be disappointed that they didn’t take the full three points after being up a man for over half the match.
Lazio is four points back from Juventus for first place and Milan is five points back from AS Roma for a spot in the UEFA Europa League; neither team will want to drop points. Expect an exciting clash Saturday evening at the Stadio Olimpico.
Prediction: Lazio 2-1 Milan
