Lazio vs Atalanta – News and Probable Lineups

Set to face off in a cup semi-final, Lazio and Atalanta BC will first clash in a crucial Serie A match on Saturday evening.

The Biancocelesti secured their place in the Coppa Italia’s final four last time out, but they trail La Dea by six points in the league standings.

Match overview

Moving closer to an eighth cup victory, Lazio earned their place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals by triumphing over Bologna on Wednesday evening.

After a 1-1 draw at Stadio Dall’Ara, Maurizio Sarri’s side overcame the holders with a 4-1 victory in the subsequent penalty shootout, preparing for a two-legged tie with Atalanta in the next phase.

Before the first leg occurs in early March, the Biancocelesti have three league matches to play as they aim to rekindle slim hopes for a top-six finish.

Currently eighth in the table, Lazio have experienced inconsistency and risk missing out on Europe for a second consecutive season.

Last week, they squandered a two-goal lead and had to settle for a draw with Juventus, conceding the equalizer deep into stoppage time – marking their sixth Serie A stalemate since December began.

Sarri’s squad has also managed only one victory in their last six league games at Stadio Olimpico – edging past Genoa 3-2 with a last-minute penalty – while conceding at least two goals in each of their last four outings.

Boosted by their penalty shootout success, they are now set to return home for a crucial encounter against another team competing for European qualification.

In their previous encounter in October that ended without goals, Atalanta has lost just once in their last eight away fixtures against Lazio, securing victories in half.

The Bergamo club currently sits one position and six points clear of their counterparts from the capital – and they rank among Italy’s top-performing teams.

After managing a brave draw in Como despite being reduced to ten men for over 80 minutes, La Dea subsequently knocked Juventus out of the Coppa Italia before defeating Cremonese last week.

Two goals within the first thirty minutes put Raffaele Palladino’s side in total control, and they could have added more before Cremo found the net late in the game.

Remaining unbeaten in Serie A this year – thanks to five wins and two draws – Atalanta has revitalized their chase for a European spot and are comfortably through to the cup semi-finals.

With a Champions League playoff against Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, the Nerazzurri have much at stake as the season draws to a close.

Team News

Having already lost several players during the winter transfer window, Sarri will have limited options if he wishes to make changes.

His thin Lazio squad has just played three times in six days, while Atalanta has enjoyed a week to rest and prepare.

Additionally, Pedro exited Wednesday’s match with an injury, meaning this experienced winger – who has scored in three of his last four league matches – may join the list of absentees for the hosts.

Club captain Mattia Zaccagni, Toma Basic, Samuel Gigot, and Manuel Lazzari remain unavailable; while key defender Alessio Romagnoli is also serving a suspension.

In contrast, Palladino welcomes back teenage centre-back Honest Ahanor and captain Marten de Roon, both of whom served one-match bans last weekend – leaving Atalanta only missing Charles De Ketelaere, who also missed the journey to Cremona due to a knee injury.

In his stead, several players are vying for two spots behind a lone striker – either Gianluca Scamacca or Nikola Krstovic: the latter has one goal involvement every 81 minutes in Serie A this season after scoring early against Cremonese.

Lazio probable starting XI:

Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Proxgaard, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Noslin

Atalanta BC probable starting XI:

Meatballs; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Raspadori; Krstovic

Lazio is demonstrating resilience in tough situations, while Atalanta has been completely revitalized since appointing a new manager – suggesting that a draw is the most probable outcome.

As a precursor to their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg – to be held in Rome early next month – these teams appear set to draw their second Serie A stalemate of the season.