LAZIO v AC MILAN: THE BRIEFING

An away trip in search of answers. After Monza and Atalanta, the team wants assurances and, above all, wants to regain the three points. At the Olimpico, we have already won against Roma this year – funny enough, always on a Friday and always on the first day of the month (it was September 1st) - but the 4-0 defeat against the Biancocelesti from last year still stings, further motivation to secure a victory. Let's analyze the potential factors that could influence the 20:45 CET match.

DEFENSE FROM THE WING
The 4-3-3 formation is a recognizable trademark of Sarri even before that of Lazio. The Biancocelesti boast a park of attackers of great quality, especially on the wings: Zaccagni (just returned after over a month out), Felipe Anderson, Pedro, and Isaksen, all interchangeable and above all, dangerous. Often deployed on the inverted foot, to exploit the ability to converge and shoot, the attacking wings represent the main source of play for Lazio. The work of our full-backs will be important, but probably what will make the difference will be the support in fallback from the attackers and the internal doubling of the midfielders. In general, the coverage work must be collective because in the spaces, Lazio can be lethal.

PACE AND AGGRESSION
The matches won against Lazio in recent seasons have often been characterized by a gradual increase in the team's intensity over the 90 minutes, in terms of pace, pressing, and immediate ball recovery. Lazio has shown vulnerability during moments when the intensity of the Rossoneri rises, as was also evident in the first leg match on September 30th. Against Atalanta, the team displayed levels of physicality and momentum at times that were surprising, considering the close European commitments that weighed on their legs. These rhythms must be reaffirmed at the Olimpico as well, not only in the offensive phase but also and especially in the defensive phase, which will require compactness and overall concentration to secure the goal after conceding many goals in recent away matches.

GIROUD AND IMMOBILE, STRIKER COMPARISON
Two guarantees, Oli and Ciro. The Frenchman, born in '86, have scored 13 goals this season, 12 of which in the league, showing incredible scoring consistency that has led him to score four times already in 2024. The Italian national, due to some physical issues, has struggled to maintain the averages of past seasons but still has 10 goals overall in this 2023/24 season. In his career, he has already scored 8 goals against AC Milan and recently surpassed 200 goals in Serie A. Giroud will have to battle for every ball against the physicality of Romagnoli and Casale, while Immobile will have to find spaces and opportunities against a quicker defense like that of Milan. Much will depend on the effectiveness of these two offensive powerhouses, and particularly on how well the two teams can serve them, which will heavily influence the outcome of the match.

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