Serie A Preview: Lazio - Milan

Time For Change

After only managing a point last weekend against bottom of the pile Siena, the alarm bells officially sounded on the blue side of the capital as Lazio's winless streak stretched to over two months. With the club imposing a press silence shortly after the game, it seems the tension continues to grow.

As numerous rumors continue to circulate regarding the future of coach Davide Ballardini, the Ravenna-born tactician may now be on borrowed time as the Biancocelesti prepare to enter a tough period of fixtures in the run up to Christmas.

As they return to the peninsula following a 4-1 humbling by Spanish outfit Villarreal in the Europa League, it seems things couldn’t get any worse for the Biancocelesti, with luck now seemingly having also turned against them. Despite displaying courage and fight at the Madrigal, a series of dubious referring decisions put the game beyond the Aquile.

With a tricky set of fixtures coming between now and Christmas, Lazio will have to go some if they want to avoid being sucked into the relegation dogfight.

Given their recent history at home to the Diavoli, the Aquile have little hope of turning things around on Sunday. However, with the Biancocelesti noted for stepping up against top opposition, Ballardini’s men have a great opportunity to show they are still not quite out for the count.

Rossoneri Raring Ahead

After another solid performance in last weekend’s 2-0 demolition of Parma, the Rossoneri moved to within two points of second place and now seem to be back on track following their slow start to the campaign. With an impressive return to form last month, it seems Leonardo has finally put the wheels back on the Rossoneri, who are proving extremely competitive, despite their less than emphatic summer transfer campaign.

After sealing a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their Champions League clash with Real Madrid in midweek, the Rossoneri now find themselves top of Group C. More important than the point on Tuesday evening was the manner in which Leonardo’s men matched the Merengues, especially in the middle of the park. After taking four points in two games against Madrid’s Galacticos, the Rossoneri are now even more aware of their own abilities as they look to push on at home and abroad.

As they prepare to take on a struggling Lazio outfit, the Diavoli will be wary not to underestimate the Biancocelesti. Should Leonardo’s men seal another three points on Sunday, they will certainly keep the pressure on second place, maintaining their momentum at a crucial point in the season.


FORM GUIDE

Lazio

November 5 v Villarreal (A) – LOST 4-1 (Europa League)

November 1 v Siena (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

October 28 v Cagliari (H) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

October 25 v Bari (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

October 22 v Villarreal (H) - WON 2-1 (Europa League)

Milan

November 3 v Real Madrid (H) – DREW 1-1 (Champions League)

October 31 v Parma (H) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

October 28 v Napoli (A) – DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

October 25 v Chievo (A) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 21 v Real Madrid (A) – WON 3-2 (Champions League)


TEAM NEWS

Lazio

Ballardini has almost a full squad to choose from following the nightmare trip to Spain during the week. Julio Cruz and Ousmane Dabo will both miss out - the pair are nursing injuries - whilst Aleksander Kolarov and Roberto Baronio are just one booking away from a ban.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Muslera, Kolarov, Radu, Siviglia, Lichtsteiner; Mauri, Baronio, Brocchi; Matuzalem; Rocchi, Zarate

Milan

Coach Leonardo has few selection issues ahead of Sunday’s trip to the capital. Gennaro Gattuso is still undergoing physiotherapy treatment and is the only notable absentee. Despite undergoing a separate training regime in the past couple of days, Clarence Seedorf is expected to shake off a knock in time for the weekend. Alessandro Nesta and Andrea Pirlo are both a booking away from a one match suspension.

Probable Starting XI – (4-3-1-2): Dida; Zambrotta, T.Silva, Nesta, Oddo; Seedorf, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Pato; Ronaldinho, Borriello


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mauro Zarate (Lazio)

Once again the Argentine was the only Biancocelesti player to save some face in the recent thrashing by Villarreal during the week. After coming on a as a second half substitute, ‘Maurito’ demonstrated his ability to terrorize defenses with his mazy runs from deep. Given the dark moment Ballardini’s men are currently passing through, it seems ‘The Zarate Kid’ is their only cause for hope against the Diavoli.

Marco Borriello (Milan)

After having recently revealed that he considered quitting football after a serious injury, the hitman proved he still is capable with two fine goals against Parma. With a spectacular overhead kick in injury-time that left the Gialloblu shot stopper with no-chance, it seems the Rossoneri’s patience is finally starting to pay off. Given Lazio’s fragility at the back, he will fancy his chances for some more goals on Sunday.


PREDICTION

It looks extremely unlikely that Lazio will climb out of their crisis against a resurgent Milan outfit. In the past couple of seasons the Biancocelesti have twice been on the wrong side of a hiding at home to the Rossoneri. Unless Ballardini can conjure up some much needed stability at the back, it seems the Aquilotti will be in for another tough ride on Sunday afternoon.

Lazio 1-3 Milan

Stefano Federici, Goal.com

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