Lazio vs AC Milan: Match Preview, Team News, Prediction

On Monday, April 26, 2021, the Stadio Olimpico hosts Lazio vs AC Milan in Matchday 33 of the 2020/21 Serie A.

In the 182 times that the two clubs have played each other in Serie A, the Biancocelesti have won on 38 occasions, the Rossoneri have won on 80 occasions and there have been 64 draws. When playing at home, Lazio has a record of 23W-38D-26L against Milan.

As it stands in the top flight of Italian football, the Biancocelesti sit in sixth with a record of 18-4D-9L (58 points) and the Rossoneri sit in second with a record of 20W-6D-6L (66 points).


Lazio

This match takes place after Lazio lost 5-2 against Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona in Matchday 32 of the 2020/21 Serie A. It was a disappointing result for the Biancocelesti, who put forth a decent performance yet didn’t capitalize on their chances. A brace from Lorenzo Insigne helped secure the victory for Napoli while Dries Mertens, Victor Osimhen and Mateo Politano added the other goals. Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic each scored for Lazio.

While there were some questionable decisions made by the referee, Marco Di Bello, the poor performance by Lazio’s backend should not be disregarded. Additionally, Lazio goalkeeper Pepe Reina failed to make key saves for his side. This needs to be addressed quickly or it could be another difficult match versus Milan.

Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio celebrates with Sergej Milinkovic and oaquin Correa after scoring the goal 1-0 during the Serie A football match between SS Lazio and Benevento Calcio at Olimpico Stadium in Roma Italy, April 18th, 2021. Photo Antonietta Baldassarre / Insidefoto antoxbaldassarre

Expect a strong response from the Biancocelesti against the Rossoneri. Simone Inzaghi has recovered from COVID-19 and will be on the bench to guide his team against Stefano Pioli’s men. While Luiz Felipe is nearing a return, he will still be unavailable for Lazio on Monday. In addition, Gonzalo Escalante and Felipe Caicedo are likely to sit this match out.

Projected Starting XI (3-5-2): Reina; Marusic, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic, Leiva, Luis Alberto, Lulic; Correa, Immobile

Francesco Acerbi, Mohamed Fares, Luis Alberto and Marco Parolo are just one yellow card away from suspension.


Milan

In Milan’s recent match against Sassuolo, they lost 2-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza. The Rossoneri haven’t been in good form despite earning points in four of their past six matches. They have struggled to put in strong performances as there have been breakdowns along the way against Parma, Napoli and now Sassuolo.

Milan was leading 1-0 with just under 20 minutes remaining and looked as if they were going to earn their 21st victory this season. However, the Neroverdi had other plans, as a brace from Giacomo Raspadori in the span of seven minutes gave Milan their sixth loss this season. It was a disastrous end to this match as Milan were outplayed by Sassuolo.

AC Milan’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts during the Italian serie A football match Napoli vs AC Milan on November 22, 2020 at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. (Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP) (Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)

With Milan visiting Lazio on Monday at the Stadio Olimpico, it won’t be easy for them, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic won’t be available, and both Theo Hernandez and Fikayo Tomori are struggling with minor injuries and are doubtful to start.

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Theo; Kessie, Bennacer; Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Rebic; Mandzukic

Hakan Calhanoglu, Samu Castillejo, Diogo Dalot, Theo Hernandez, Ante Rebic and Alexis Saelemaekers are just one yellow card away from suspension.


Final Words

Milan have been the more dominant side versus Lazio in recent years. In their last eleven meetings in Serie A, Lazio have managed to win just twice. During those eleven meetings, the Rossoneri have earned three clean sheets and the Biancocelesti have managed to score two or more goals on only three occasions.

Lazio talisman Immobile has turned it around in recent times as he has three goals in his past two matches in Serie A. Prior to that, he went scoreless in eight straight games. Additionally, Immobile has scored in two straight matches and has five goals in the past five games in Serie A versus Milan. The Italian is in great form and this will be encouraging for Lazio.

Ante Rebic has stepped up in the absence of Ibrahimovic. He has scored in two of the last three matches in Serie A for Milan. Additionally, in the Croatian’s three meetings versus the Biancocelesti in Serie A, he has two goals and one assist.

An interesting battle will be between midfielders Milinkovic-Savic and Franck Kessie. Both the Serbian and Ivorian are having terrific seasons at their respective clubs; it will be very exciting to see two of the league’s best midfielders go head-to-head.

If Lazio are to move up in the standings, they will need to be highly motivated, not let their guard down and limit their mistakes against a well-managed Milan side.


Prediction

Lazio 3-2 Milan

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