With an unbeatable run of five victories in a row, Lazio heads to U-Power Stadium this Sunday looking to take on Monza. The Biancocelesti – who have been comfortable within Italy’s top six all season and are going well in the Europa League – will be seeking to inch their way closer to the top of Serie A. Monza has endured a terrible couple of weeks, taking only one point from their last three outings.
Preview: Dominant Lazio faces struggling Monza
Lazio have shown the capability of making a surge, with the team scoring a total of 10 goals in the last three Serie A matches alone. The visitors have managed to score in each of the last 15 minutes of the game with the late winner recently netted by veteran Pedro sealing their fourth consecutive Europa League victory against Porto. Lazio top the standings in the Europa League and are very well-placed for the knockout stages.
Lazio has become the domestic front, with 24 goals so far this season, outscoring all teams in Serie A aside from Inter Milan and Atalanta.
History and form are not on the side of this match, with Monza never having beaten Lazio in Serie A and now in the relegation zone, having lost back-to-back goalless games since their controversial 1-0 loss to AC Milan. A tough job for the coach Alessandro Nesta, who is going to face his former club now, where Monza has become winless in the last 10 home league matches of them.
Team News: Lazio’s Squad Depth and Monza’s Injury List
Lazio head coach Marco Baroni will have virtually all players at his disposal, with Manuel Lazzari back from injury and Tijjani Noslin available after a UEFA ban. Gaetano Castrovilli remains ruled out until 2025, while Senegalese forward Boulaye Dia might earn a start after finding momentum with three direct goal involvements in his last two league matches.
Monza’s injury situation is graver, though, as crucial men like Alessio Cragno, Omari Forson, Stefano Sensi, and Roberto Gagliardini have all been ruled out. Andrea Petagna is also doubtful while Milan Djuric – who scored a brace in this fixture last season – will probably start upfront together with Daniel Maldini and Dany Mota.
Predicted Lineups
Monza Starting XI:
Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Pessina, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Maldini; Djuric
Lazio Starting XI:
Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Rovella, Guendouzi; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos
Prediction: Monza 1-3 Lazio
Although Monza might be capable of scoring the first goal of the game, it is usually in the last third of the matches where Lazio registers their goals this season, with 12 in the last half hour of play in Serie A. The firepower and momentum is firmly on the side of Lazio, who go into the clash seeking all three points at U-Power Stadium.
