Milan vs Lazio: One side set to drop points in high-octane encounter
Milan and Lazio will be hoping to maintain their perfect records as they lock horns at the Stadio San Siro on Sunday. Unfortunately, one of these teams, or perhaps both, will see that record come to an end. The Rossoneri come into this match having cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win over Cagliari thanks to a top performance from new signing Olivier Giroud, who netted a brace during the rout. Milan will be really keen on being a competitive outfit on multiple fronts this season, as they’re back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2013/2014 term. In addition, the Diavolo, having led the league only to capitulate to Inter, will again mount another serious Scudetto challenge, especially with Juventus’s time of dominance now having come to an end.
They will be facing Juventus in their next Serie A match, and with that in mind, Stefano Pioli will want his team to come into that match in top form. Before then, it’s a tough Champions League test against Liverpool, and this means that Pioli will need to manage his squad efficiently. Giroud has been ruled out for this one due to COVID-19, but the French ace is expected to recover just in time for the upcoming clashes against the Reds and the Bianconeri.
In addition, Milan will be looking to win three on the trot for a second straight season as they look to establish themselves as Scudetto contenders early on. Moreover, there’s an impressive record at stake – the Rossoneri have lost just one of their last 31 meetings with the Aquile at the Stadio San Siro – that they’ll be looking to maintain so as to kick off a very busy week on a high note.
As for Lazio, the Aquile find themselves under new management after Simone Inzaghi’s departure to Inter. Maurizio Sarri, back on the managerial bench, is keen on implementing his self-described “Sarri-ball” methodology in the capital. And so far, it seems to be working, with the Biancocelesti scoring nine goals from their first two matches. Sarri will also be looking for redemption after being sacked by Juventus, and Lazio will be looking to rebuild after the departures of Inzaghi and key forward Joaquin Correra to Inter.
Ciro Immobile is another player looking to get off the mark, and the 2020 European Golden Shoe winner has already done so, with four goals to his name so far. That’s despite failing to replicate this same form at international level with the Azzurri, where, despite being part of the EURO 2020-winning team, he wasn’t able to have the impact that certainly he would have liked. He’ll have more opportunities to show his worth, though, as Lazio’s sixth-placed finish means that the Aquile will be trying their luck in the Europa League, with an away match against Turkish side Galatasaray coming up on the horizon.
Fortunately for Milan, they’ll be welcoming veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic back, after the 39-year-old missed out on EURO 2020 due to a knee injury. It’s great timing as they, as noted before, will have to make do with Giroud, who has been quite impressive so far for his new side in Serie A. In addition Ivorian star Franck Kessie is also back in action after his own injury lay-off, giving Milan a much needed boost in the middle of the park as they seek to contain Sarri’s attacking-focused side.
Will Milan’s formidable home record be enough to see them through as they aim to win three games in a row for the second straight season? Or will Lazio end their hoodoo at the Stadio San Siro to kick off a strong week ahead of their Europa League trip?
