On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, the Stadio Olimpico hosts Lazio vs Borussia Dortmund in Matchday 1 of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League.
The Head Referee for this clash will be Clément Turpin, the Assistant Referees will be Nicolas Danos and Cyril Gringore, the Fourth Official will be Frank Schneider, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be François Letexier with the assistance of Jérǒme Brisard.
As it stands in the Italian Serie A, the Biancocelesti sit in fourteenth with a record of 1W-1D-2L (4 points); while in the German Bundesliga, Die Borussen sit in third with a record of 3W-0D-1L (9 points).
Expected Starting Lineups
Lazio (3-5-2): Strakosha; Patric, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi; Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Luis Alberto, Fares; Correa, Immobile.
- Unavailable: Proto, Radu, Lulic, Lazzari, Bastos, Pereira
- Disqualified: –
Borussia Dortmund (3-4-3): Bürki; Piszczek, Hummels, Delaney; Passlack, Bellingham, Witsel, Guerreiro; Reus, Haaland, Sancho.
- Unavailable: Moukoko, Schmelzer, Akanji, Schulz, Zagadou, Hazard
- Disqualified: Can
Prediction
This match takes place after Lazio lost 3-0 against Sampdoria. This was a result that the Biancocelesti will want to put behind them as it was a lacklustre performance, with the club looking uninspired throughout most of the match. However, it is important to note that Simone Inzaghi had a difficult task heading into this clash. Several key players were sidelined with injury and Lazio’s lead man, Ciro Immobile, was also forced to miss the match against the Blucerchiati (as he served a one-match suspension), which limited the manager’s options. Fabio Quagliarella opened the score for the home side just after the half-hour mark. He converted a well-executed cross from Tommaso Augello as he had ample time down the left flank and was left uncovered. Right before half time, Sampdoria extended their lead to 2-0 off a set-piece. Augello struck the ball from just outside the box with Thomas Strakosha having no chance to make the save. Late in the second half, the Blucerchiati erased any chance of Lazio coming back. Patric held the ball too long in his own end and acted too casual which resulted in a turnover and consequentially, Mikkel Damsgaard scored the third goal. Lazio had sporadic chances in this match, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Joaquin Correa having the best opportunities; however, they failed to convert.
In Dortmund’s recent match against Hoffenheim, Marco Reus scored his first goal this season as he helped his side win 1-0. The German scored late in the second half to break the deadlock off a Hoffenheim turnover. Dortmund have shown good form early in their season as they have won three of their first four matches. The German team, led by the likes of Reus, Jadon Sancho, Matt Hummels, and Erling Haaland, will be no easy task for the Biancocelesti.
While Lazio have started their Serie A season looking dangerous at times, they have shown plenty of inconsistencies which start from the backend. They enter this match with plenty of injuries yet this should not be an excuse; the Biancocelesti will need to be motivated and mentally prepared against Dortmund if they have any chance at picking up three points.
Prediction: Lazio 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
