Lazio vs Sassuolo – News and Probable Lineups

On Monday, two clubs moving in contrasting trajectories will meet at Stadio Olimpico, as struggling Lazio takes on an in-form Sassuolo.

While Sassuolo has managed to secure four wins in their last five Serie A matches, Lazio remains winless in their last six across various competitions.

Match overview

With an average of just one point per match in 2026, Lazio has fallen into the lower half of Serie A and could miss out on European competition for a second consecutive season.

After a lackluster 2-0 loss to Torino last week, Lazio has gone 313 minutes without a league goal, managing only one victory in their past seven Serie A outings.

This season, they have received seven red cards, indicating discipline has been problematic, and their struggles at home in Rome have not gone unnoticed, with ongoing fan protests likely influencing their situation.

With frustration building since the summer, head coach Maurizio Sarri has engaged in a public dispute with club president Claudio Lotito, raising doubts about Sarri’s position at the club.

Lazio’s only chance for silverware this season lies in the Coppa Italia, but they let a lead slip twice in the first leg of their semi-final match against Atalanta BC on Wednesday night.

The 2-2 draw at home further illustrates Lazio’s poor form at the Olimpico: they have secured just one win in their last seven league fixtures at that venue, conceding a minimum of two goals in each of their last five matches.

Although Lazio has historically won seven out of 11 encounters with Sassuolo in the Italian capital, their current form sharply contrasts that of the ascending Neroverdi.

After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 in September, Sassuolo has the opportunity to secure a league double over Lazio for only the second time in history.

Having achieved five victories in their last six matches, with only a defeat to league leaders Inter de Milão during that run, Sassuolo definitely heads south with confidence.

They have surpassed Lazio in the standings, entering the top half, and have accumulated their third-highest points total for this stage of a top-flight season.

Benefiting from a favorable fixture list in February, Fabio Grosso’s team began March with a remarkable win over Champions League contenders Atalanta, despite being reduced to 10 men.

Star forward Andrea Pinamonti was sent off after just 16 minutes, yet Sassuolo still managed to score twice while fending off a relentless attack from La Dea.

Having been promoted back to Italy’s top division last summer, Grosso and his team are well-positioned for safety and can now aim for a top-10 finish.

After recent away wins in Pisa and Udine, the Neroverdi could achieve three consecutive Serie A victories for the first time since the Roberto De Zerbi era in 2021.

Team News

Samuel Gigot and Nicolo Rovella remain sidelined due to injuries, while Toma Basic is doubtful. However, Sarri is expected to have the rest of his squad fit for Monday’s match.

Given that the second leg of Lazio’s cup semi-final is not until next month, there seems to be little reason for squad rotation, especially following a better performance against Atalanta.

Either Petar Ratkov or Daniel Maldini could lead the attack with backing from captain Mattia Zaccagni, who has previously found the net five times in Serie A against Sassuolo; however, he hasn’t contributed to any goals in his last 12 league outings.

Sassuolo also has a player specializing in this matchup, as long-serving winger Domenico Berardi has scored nine goals against Lazio thus far.

The Italy international will likely pair with M’Bala Nzola, since first-choice striker Pinamonti is serving a suspension.

Sebastian Walukiewicz is back after his ban, but Alieu Fadera – who scored the winner against Lazio in September – leads a short injury list.

Lazio probable starting XI:

Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Zaccagni

Sassuolo probable starting XI:

Muric; Walukiewicz, Muharemovic, Idzes, Garcia; Thorstvedt, Matic, Kone; Berardi, Nzola, Lauriente

Boosted by recent successes, Sassuolo can maintain a four-point lead over their opponents and hold onto a top-half standing.

Lazio has had less time to recuperate since their last fixture and is working with a very thin squad, so Sarri’s quest for a win continues.