UEFA Europa League Preview: Lazio vs Lokomotiv Moscow

Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio during the Serie A football match between SS Lazio and Spezia Calcio at Olimpico stadium in Rome Italy, August 28th, 2021. Photo Antonietta Baldassarre / Insidefoto antoniettaxbaldassarre

Lazio take on Lokomotiv Moscow at the Stadio Olimpico in Matchday 2 of the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League Group Stage.

The only time that these two clubs have previously met was back in the Semi-Finals of the 1998/99 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, whereby both fixtures ended in draws.

As it stands in Group E, Lazio sit in last place with no points (0W-0D-1L) while Lokomotiv sit in third place with one point (0W-1D-0L).


Lazio Team News & Expected Starting Lineup

Lazio have a record of 3W-2D-1L (10 points) and sit in sixth place in Serie A.

In their recent league match against Roma, they came away with a 3-2 victory. The Biancocelesti started the match very well, scoring two goals within the first twenty minutes. However, it was Felipe Anderson’s goal in the 62nd minute that secured all three points in an exciting Derby della Capitale.

Concerning absences, Mattia Zaccagni is the only player that will be unavailable to Maurizio Sarri for this fixture.

(4-3-3): Strakosha; Lazzari, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Hysaj; Akpa Akpro, Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Moro.


Lokomotiv Team News & Expected Starting Lineup

Lokomotiv have a record of 4W-5D-0L (17 points) and sit in third place in the Russian Premier League.

In their recent league match against FC Khimki, they managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw despite being down a man for close to half of the match. This was due to goalkeeper Guilerme’s error, whereby he came out of his box to try and stop a potential breakaway but fouled Kemal Ademi. Before this, Lokomotiv were in control of the match, scoring two goals that were ruled out for offside, and hitting the post on one occasion.

Concerning absences, Nair Tiknizyan (suspended), Magkeev (ACL), Maciej Rybus (unknown), Ze Luis (not registered) and Anton Miranchuk (ruled out) are the players that will be unavailable to Marko Nikolic for this fixture.

(4-3-3): Guilherme; Zhivoglyadov, Barinov, Pablo, Silyanov; Beka Beka, Maradishvili, Kulyanov; Kamano, Smolov, Kerk.


Lazio’s Player to Watch

Ciro Immobile is currently on the hunt to become Lazio’s top scorer in European competitions – he sits just four back from Simone Inzaghi’s record of 20 goals for the Biancocelesti. After failing to find the back of the net against Galatasaray in Matchday 1 in a frustrating fixture away from home, the Italian striker will hope that his red hot form in Serie A will transition to Europa League play. So far this season, Immobile has scored six goals and provided two assists in six league matches.


Lokomotiv’s Player to Watch

After finishing third in the Russian Premier League in the 2020/21 season, Lokomotiv failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. As a result, Fedor Smolov will be looking to lead the way for his club to help them return to Europe’s top competition next season. So far this year, the 31-year-old Russian striker has started every nine of the club’s domestic league fixtures, scoring six goals in the process. However, he is currently on a dry spell; Smolov has not found the back of the net in his last four appearances in all competitions.


Match Prediction

While Lazio are drawless in their last 19 Europa League fixtures, Lokomotiv‘s last three matches in all competitions have ended in draws. Expect Sarri’s men to come out firing and to have a top performance in front of their home fans.

  • Lazio 2-1 Lokomotiv
Tags Europa League FC Lokomotiv Moscow Fedor Smolov Lazio vs Lokomotiv lazio vs lokomotiv moscow lokomotiv moscow vs lazio Lokomotiv vs Lazio Marko Nikolić Nikolić Smolov UEFA UEFA Europa League