LAZIO v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

Still on the road, still on a Saturday. After Parma, AC Milan is looking to make amends, and facing Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome represents a great opportunity to do so. For Fonseca's Rossoneri, it's the first big match of the season, a crucial crossroads given a lacklustre start and the upcoming international break. Winning is important, as it would demonstrate character and collective improvements compared to previous fixtures. Here’s our Match Preview for the Serie A matchday 3 fixture:

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
From Tardini to Milanello, it has been a period of quiet and valuable work for the Rossoneri. During training, the team has regrouped to find the necessary energy for a delicate journey that will require answers. With just one point on the board, the margin for error is already slim to avoid losing more ground, especially in a fixture that often has implications for European spots. Milan will be without both Morata and Jović, so Okafor and Camarda are the only forwards available. Otherwise, with the overall condition improving, the likely starting eleven should resemble the one seen in Emilia-Romagna, with Fofana expected to start.

"We are aware that we haven’t started well," said Fonseca at the pre-match press conference, "but we are united and have understood what needs to be improved. I expect to see a different AC Milan in Rome. I don’t like to make excuses. I'm here to find solutions. In pre-season, we were close to what I envisioned for our style of play, and I have the same confidence now as I did on the first day".

FONSECA: "I EXPECT AC MILAN TO PLAY DIFFERENTLY"

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LATEST FROM LAZIO
A good start, followed by a slowdown. Lazio began the season with a 3-1 victory over Venezia but then lost 2-1 to Udinese. The transfer market has significantly altered the team's composition. First and foremost, the coach, Baroni, and also the players. The arrivals, Dele-Bashiru, Dia, Noslin, and Tchaouna have already been integrated into the squad but the high-profile departures, including Immobile, Felipe Anderson, and Luis Alberto, have made the most noise. The key players remaining include Provedel, Romagnoli, Lazzari, Guendouzi, and Zaccagni. In the likely dynamic 4-3-3 formation keep an eye on the influential Castellanos, who has looked inspired at the start of the season.

"We need to deliver a top-notch performance against an opponent built to win the Scudetto, who has had more shots on goal in their early matches. A perfect performance is required," said Baroni. "The opponent demands it. This is one of those games where we need to be creative. We have to take some risks, increase our offensive play, but also maintain balance".

PRE-MATCH STATS

• AC Milan has won the last three matches against Lazio without conceding a goal. The Rossoneri haven't had a longer winning streak against the Biancocelesti in Serie A since the period between 2003 and 2005 (five consecutive wins).
• AC Milan is the team that has attempted the most shots (43) in the first two games, played the most balls in the opponent's area (82), recorded the highest percentage of successful passes in the opponent's half (88%), and made the most vertical attacks (10).
• AC Milan and Lazio (2 goals each) are the teams that have scored the most goals in the final quarter of matches this season. AC Milan (52) and Lazio (51) are also the teams that have attempted the most open-play crosses.
• Rafael Leão is the player who has created the most chances for his teammates so far (seven, equal with Dybala), played the most balls in the opponent’s area (22), and attempted the most total shots (11, tied with Lazio's Castellanos)
• With the eight tackles recorded against Parma, Strahinja Pavlović has become the player with the most tackles on debut for the Rossoneri in Serie A since the data became available (from the 2004/05 season).

TIME MACHINE: LAZIO v AC MILAN

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WHERE TO WATCH LAZIO v AC MILAN
In Italy, the game will be live on DAZN. To watch Lazio v AC Milan from a different country, please consult the 'AC Milan on TV' page. Follow Matchday on Milan TV: the live will begin at 20:00 CEST until kick-off, with the game being followed by the interviews and Coach Fonseca's press conference. Don't miss out on our coverage via acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App, our official social media channels and WhatsApp.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
The referee, Davide Massa, will be making his 206th Serie A appearance. He has previously officiated 22 Rossoneri matches and 28 Biancocelesti matches. Massa has already refereed two AC Milan v Lazio matches, both ending in 2-0 victories for AC Milan at San Siro (September 2016 and September 2023). The assistant referees are Meli and Alassio, the fourth official is Fourneau, and the VAR is Mazzoleni, with Sozza as the AVAR.

Matchday 3 kicked off on Friday with Venezia 0-1 Torino and Inter 4-0 Atalanta. Saturday: Bologna v Empoli and Lecce v Cagliari at 18:30 CEST, Lazio v AC Milan and Napoli v Parma at 20:45 CEST. Sunday gives us Fiorentina v Monza and Genoa v Hellas Verona at 18:30 CEST, Juventus v Roma and Udinese v Como at 20:45 CEST.

The table: Inter* and Torino* 7; Juventus 6; Genoa, Udinese, Parma and Empoli 4; Atalanta*, Lazio, Napoli and Hellas Verona 3; Fiorentina and Cagliari 2; AC Milan, Roma, Monza, Venezia*, Bologna and Como 1; Lecce 0. (* = played one game more)

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