The pressure is on for Lazio as they travel to the Netherlands searching for a strong win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League.
Kick-Off Time, Location & How to Watch
The match between AZ Alkmaar and Lazio kicks off at 21.00 local time on Thursday 16th March at the AFAS stadium in Alkmaar.
To find out how to watch AZ Alkmaar vs Lazio in your respective country, check out this verified list of international TV listings.
AZ Alkmaar vs Lazio: Recent History
Lazio have slowed up a little following their thrilling 1-0 win over league leaders Napoli at the start of this month, losing 2-1 to AZ in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie and being held to a 0-0 draw away to Bologna.
Maurizio Sarri’s side are clearly focusing on securing a top four finish but will be expecting a good showing in the Netherlands as they try to reach the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
Things have been looking good for AZ since their frustrating loss to Feyenoord last month. The Eredivisie outfit have won their last four consecutive outings, including against the Biancocelesti, and they’ll be confident of securing a positive result at home to book their spot in the next stage of the competition.
AZ currently sit third in the Eredivisie table, just five points behind league leaders Feyenoord.
AZ Alkmaar vs Lazio: Team News
The only absence for Lazio is star striker Ciro Immobile, still out with a muscle injury. The rest of the squad is fit and healthy, giving Sarri options across the pitch. The injury to the captain means Felipe Anderson or Pedro will have to fill in as a false nine, something that has worked well on occasion this season.
AZ have a number of injuries to contend with heading into the Conference League tie, being without Dani de Wit, Riechedly Bazoer, Bruno Martins Indi, Sam Beukema, Zinho Vanheusden and Sem Westerveld.
Expected Starting Lineups
With the Derby della Capitale fast approaching, Sarri is expected to heavily rotate his Lazio squad for the match, deploying players like Matteo Cancellieri, Luis Maximiano, Mario Gila and Marcos Antonio.
AZ are likely to use a similar lineup to face Lazio as they did in the first leg, with the goalscorers Vangelis Pavlidis and Milos Kerkez both ready to take to the pitch again.
AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3): Ryan; Sugawara, Chatzidiakos, Goes, Kerkez; Reijnders, Clasie, Mijnans; Odgaard, Pavlidis, Karlsson.
Lazio (4-3-3): Maximiano; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic, Marcos Antonio, Vecino; Cancellieri, Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni.
