Lazio vs Mantova – News and Probable Lineups

After facing defeat in last year’s final at their home ground, Lazio returns to Stadio Olimpico on Sunday to kick off their 2026-27 season with a Coppa Italia match against Mantova.

The victor of this fixture—marking Gennaro Gattuso’s debut competitive match as the head coach of the Biancocelesti—will go on to host either Palermo or Lecce in the second round.

Match overview

Following their elimination of AC Milan in the Round of 16, Lazio progressed past the holders Bologna and then Atalanta in their cup journey, overcoming both teams via penalties to reach the final in May.

Nevertheless, they fell short against Inter de Milão, losing the final 2-0 despite enjoying home advantage, which cost them a chance at securing an eighth Coppa Italia title.

Nonetheless, their cup run partially mitigated a disappointing league season, with the Biancocelesti finishing ninth in Serie A, resulting in their necessity to start from the first round of the cup.

Lazio’s season will commence a bit early, while they watch others—like their rivals Roma, who are heading into the Champions League—partake in European contests, as they remain at home for the second consecutive year.

In light of ongoing fan boycotts and Maurizio Sarri’s controversial departure, they find themselves under new management once more, with former Italia boss Gattuso stepping in.

Gattuso’s squad has made a promising start, winning four informal friendlies and concluding pre-season with a 2-1 triumph over Serie A newcomers Frosinone, bolstered by a brace from captain Mattia Zaccagni.

Next, they will entertain an early Coppa Italia encounter, followed by a visit to Bologna for their first league game.

On Sunday, there will be a significant disparity in cup credentials; Lazio are seven-time champions, while Mantova has yet to lift the trophy.

The Biancorossi’s modest Coppa Italia history includes consecutive first-round exits in 2024 and 2025, putting expectations at a low before a challenging trip to the capital.

After suffering a 4-0 defeat against Venezia at this time last year, Françasco Modesto’s side finished ninth in Serie B, narrowly avoiding playoff contention.

Throughout the summer, Mantova convincingly won their first three friendly matches but fell 1-0 to Carpi in their most recent outing.

Set to kick off their league campaign away to Carrarese next week, the Lombardy club will first face one of Italia’s top teams.

Team News

With finances remaining tight, Lazio has seen limited new arrivals as Gattuso takes charge, but summer signings Alfonso Pedraza and Danilho Doekhi may feature this weekend.

Key defender Mario Gila has departed for Milan, and first-choice goalkeeper Ivan Provedel has moved to Inter, but Christos Mandas has returned from his loan at Bournemouth.

Gustav Isaksen and Danilo Cataldi are both questionable due to injuries; Luca Pellegrini (ankle) and Patric (fitness) are expected to be sidelined.

Boulaye Dia, Tijjani Noslin, and Petar Ratkov will likely be the primary options to spearhead the attack in a probable 4-3-3 formation—the latter netting six goals in pre-season, including a late winner against Ascoli.

Meanwhile, Mantova’s attack should be rounded out by recent acquisition Ettore Gliozzi, who was Modena’s leading Serie B scorer last season.

Playmaker Davide Bragantini has just resumed training, so the visitors might have a fully fit squad on Sunday evening, contingent on Bodin Tomasevic overcoming a knock.

Lazio probable starting XI:

Mandas; Lazzari, Doekhi, Proxgaard, Pedraza; Dele-Bashiru, Rovella, Taylor; Cancellieri, Ratkov, Zaccagni

Mantova probable starting XI:

Bards; Meroni, Castellini, Cella; Radaelli, Trimboli, Ignacchiti, Benaissa; Bragantini, Ilie; Gliozzi

With a rhythm established under their new coach during pre-season, Lazio is poised to eliminate the modest Mantova in the opening round.

Having reached the Coppa Italia final last season, the Rome club might still have some off-field concerns to address, but they certainly possess the capability to defeat second-tier opposition at home.