AC MILAN V LAZIO: MATCH PREVIEW

From Serie A to the Coppa Italia, from the Derby to AC Milan v Lazio. A quarter-final clash is coming up, with a semi-final spot up for grabs. Here’s our Match Preview ahead of tonight’s 21:00 CET kick-off.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The joy felt after the Derby was quickly replaced by maximum focus on a showdown where there’s no room for error. Compared to Saturday’s showdown, Tomori should be ready to start, while Rebić is back available. On the other hand, Ibrahimović remains out. Coach Pioli didn’t ring the changes against Genoa in the last 16, and it will probably be the same story tonight. It’s almost certain that Hernández will play, with the Frenchman suspended for the next league fixture. Following on from the Inter game, another San Siro showdown awaits, and this will once again be the case when the Rossoneri host Sampdoria at 12:30 CET on Sunday in Serie A. The cup game against the team from the capital will be an important one and comes at a critical crossroads of the season.

“It’s an important and difficult game,” said Pioli in a pre-match interview with Milan TV. “The level is higher, but we want to go all the way and try to win this competition. Lazio have a history of great results in this tournament and possess a lot of quality in attack. There’s still a long way to go. The team need to continue to grow, believe, and play with courage and impetus.”

LATEST FROM LAZIO
In the last round, Lazio had to dig deep to overcome Udinese in extra time, but they’re heading to San Siro fresh from a 3-0 away victory over Fiorentina. Their excellent performance in Florence can only have given them confidence, with the Biancocelesti now sitting level on points with Roma in a Europa League position in the Serie A table. Sarri isn’t expected to make many changes, although Reina will probably come in for Strakosha as part of a defence that will be missing Acerbi. Milinković-Savić is a particularly important presence in midfield, while the team’s dangerous and varied attack will be led by Immobile, with Pedro, Zaccagni and Felipe Anderson all possible options to play alongside the Italian striker.

“It’s a good moment for both us and AC Milan,” said Sarri. “We have the desire and hunger to face a side that are challenging for the Scudetto. There’s a lot of room for improvement, AC Milan are starting from a stronger position because they have a group that has been working together longer.”

PRE-MATCH
AC Milan v Lazio is a Coppa Italia classic. The two teams have met 21 times in the competition, including the semi-final fixtures that took place in 2017/18 and 2018/19 (just one goal – Correa’s – was scored across those matches), with the Rossoneri progressing on penalties in February 2018 but suffering a 1-0 aggregate defeat just over a year later. The Diavolo have struggled against the Biancocelesti in the competition in recent times, winning just one of the last nine fixtures between the teams (D3, L5).

LATEST FROM THE COPPA ITALIA
Simone Sozza will referee AC Milan v Lazio. Tolfo and Vono will be the linesmen, while Cosso will perform the role of fourth official. Massa (alongside Bindoni) will oversee VAR. Sozza has taken charge of eight Serie A matches this season, none of which have involved the Rossoneri (although he was the fourth official for AC Milan v Spezia). However, he’s been the man in the middle for three Lazio matches, with the Biancocelesti winning, drawing and losing once.

AC Milan v Lazio is the second 2021/22 Coppa Italia quarter-final tie taking place this week. Yesterday, it finished Inter 2-0 Roma, with the Rossoneri now aware of who they’ll face in the semis should they make it through. On Thursday, Atalanta v Fiorentina is scheduled for 18:00 CET and Juventus v Sassuolo for 21:00 CET.

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