Opposition insight for Lazio-Milan: Form, injuries, predicted XI and more

Lazio will host Milan at Stadio Olimpico tomorrow with the goal of clinching an important win, although the Rossoneri are also eager to get their hands on the three points. 

Maurizio Sarri and his men could use a good win to gain some confidence for the season, having struggled on multiple fronts in recent weeks. The good news is that their fans have decided to pause their boycott just for this game, which should give them some much-needed support.

Milan, meanwhile, obviously want to capitalise on Inter’s draw against Atalanta on Saturday afternoon. A win would take them within five points of the Nerazzurri, though we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves as this game most likely will be tricky.

Opposition insight on Lazio

➤ Manager: Maurizio Sarri
➤ Form (all comps): L-D-L-D-W (most recent)
➤ Top scorer (Serie A): Cataldi, Zaccagni, Isaksen, Cancellieri, Pedro – 3
➤ Most assists (Serie A): Danilo Cataldi – 3
➤ Injuries & suspensions: Cataldi, Gigot, Provedel, Romagnoli, Rovella.

By Lazio’s standards, it has been a very poor season so far. They are 10th in the league standings after picking up just 13 points in 2026 (out of a possible 33) and European competitions are well out of reach already, which says a lot.

However, even if the European route is no longer viable through the league, the Biancocelesti are still in the Coppa Italia. The first semi-final against Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico ended 2-2, so even though it will be difficult in Bergamo, a Europa League spot remains on the table.

The bigger question, though, is why Lazio have done so poorly this season. Many expected more when Sarri’s return was announced in the summer, but any ambition was effectively blocked by the total transfer ban put on the club.

Lazio were subsequently only able to redeem the players they had on loan with options/obligations to buy, such as Nicolo Rovella, Nuno Tavares and Luca Pellegrini. While that was important, not being able to make any real reinforcements really makes it difficult to compete.

Fortunately for the president Claudio Lotito, the ban was lifted ahead of the January transfer window and with no restrictions added either, which was a bit surprising as a lot of sources suggested it would be a zero-sum game (to buy a player for x amount, you need to sell for x amount as well).

Still, star striker Taty Castellanos and the important midfielder Matteo Guendouzi were both sold, for €29m and €28m respectively. Kenneth Taylor (midfielder, Ajax) and Petar Ratkovc (striker, Salzburg) were brought in as the main replacements, while Daniel Maldini was also secured on loan.

The goalkeeper Edoardo Motta was also brought in from Reggiana, which turned out to be very important as Ivan Provedel is currently out injured. The same can be said for Alessio Romagnoli (even if they will try until the end to recover him) and Danilo Cataldi, which is quite a blow for Sarri as all three are usually starters.

Interestingly, it looks like the former Milan man and aforementioned Maldini will start as a false No.9, teaming up with Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni in attack. Patric in midfield will also be one to keep an eye on, seeing as he’s a defender.

Sarri admitted in his press conference that he still has some things to figure out, but made it clear that it’s a very difficult game tactically speaking. Especially since he has so many key players on the side, which is every coach’s nightmare.

Predicted Lazio XI (3-5-2): Motta; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Patric, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Zaccagni.

Predicted bench: Furlanetto, Giacomone, Hysaj, Lazzari, Pellegrini, Belahyane, Basic, Przyborek, Pedro, Noslin, Cancellieri, Dia, Ratkov.