CONFIRMED lineups for Lazio v Atalanta clash

As Lazio host Atalanta on matchday 18 of Serie A, Baroni’s men will be looking to end the visitors’ 11-match winning streak in Serie A before bidding farewell to 2024. Atalanta lead the table with 40 points, with six points separating them from their opponents down in fourth – Napoli and Inter occupy the second and third place. 

‘La Dea’ have been a real force in the Italian top flight this season but their title bid recently suffered a huge blow as in-form Mateo Retegui is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The former Genoa striker was brought in last summer to replace injured Gianluca Scamacca, who tore his ACL during pre-season and turned out to be one of the signings of the year as he leads the league scoring charts with 12 goals. 

Midfielder Mario Pasalic therefore steps in for the injured forward and starts behind Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere in attack. Matteo Ruggeri is also absent from tonight’s clash due to a problem with his right toe, while Scamacca (individual training) and Scalvini (team training) have made their returns to training from respective long-term injuries.

On the other hand, Manuel Lazzari has handed Lazio a fresh injury blow and thus joins the list of absentees alongside Pedro and Noslin. Matias Vecino is also ruled out with a long-term injury and is expected to return sometime in February. As a result, Lazio boss Baroni has opted to start Fisayo Dele-Bashiru alongside Nicolo Rovella and Matteo Guendouzi in midfield.

Possible lineups for Lazio v Atalanta

Lazio’s confirmed starting XI (4-3-3): Provedel (GK); Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella, Dele-Bashiru; Tchaouna, Castellanos, Zaccagni.

Atalanta’s confirmed starting XI (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi (GK); Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Lookman.

 

December 28, 2024