The eleventh round of the Serie A 2022/23 season doesn’t lack intriguing fixtures as Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio take on a courageous Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta in what is expected to be a jaw-dropping experience for the spectators.
Contrary to what was anticipated before the start of the league campaign, Atalanta’s ship has not crumbled yet. Instead, inspired by favourable results, La Dea are now aspiring to finish the campaign on a high note.
Lazio have not had any setback in recent experiences, but the wins have not come easily for Sarri’s men. They have blown hot and cold here and there. When they start scoring, they find the back of the net in abundance. But when their attacking prowess lacks that edge, finding the face of the goal becomes extremely difficult.
Results in the last five games in all competitions:
Atalanta: D-W-W-D-W
Lazio: W-D-W-D-D
Team News
Juan Musso will stay on the sideline for the hosts along with Davide Zappacosta and Rafael Tolói. Ademola Lookman, who has been a revelation for La Dea, should start the game in the attack. Luis Muriel should partner with him. Brandon Soppy dropped an influential performance last weekend. He should be one of the leading names to make the starting XI.
As for Lazio, there are a few names missing. One of them is, of course, Ciro Immobile. The Italian striker has not recovered from a biceps femoris muscle injury and will thus miss the game against Atalanta at the weekend. Defensive midfielder Marco Bertini is set to remain on the sideline due to a tear in the abductor’s muscle.
Atalanta predicted XI vs Lazio (3-4-2-1):
Sportiello; Scalvini, Demiral, Okoli; Hateboer, Koopmeiners, De Roon, Soppy; Pasalic, Lookman; Muriel.
Lazio predicted XI vs Atalanta (4-3-3):
Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic, Cataldi, Vecino; Pedro, Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni.
Over the last three meetings between the two teams, there have been two draws and one win for the team from Rome. As per the current circumstances, it would not be surprising if the game concludes in a stalemate. But as mentioned earlier, it is going to be a gruelling battle between the two teams dreaming of achieving something more than European football this season.
GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
