Filippo Inzaghi’s AC Milan travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening to meet a Lazio side who have been flying so far this season. Stefano Pioli’s side sit fifth in Serie A, and will be looking to leapfrog both Sampdoria and Napoli with a win against the Rossoneri.
Lazio come into the game without a win in their last two games, having drawn against Roma and lost in Naples, so will see the visit of Inzaghi’s team as an opportunity to get back on track. Milan, who lost the game at the San Siro on the season’s opening day are without a win this year and have scored just twice in their previous four games.
Saturday will be the 146th meeting of these two historic clubs, with the Diavolo holding the upper hand both overall and even in games in Rome. Milan have won 20 of their previous away matches against Lazio, with the hosts claiming the points just 18 times, along with a huge 34 draws. However, the home side have held the advantage in recent games, winning two and drawing two since Thiago Silva and Alexandro Pato helped Leonardo’s side to a victory in late 2009 – a game that saw current coach Inzaghi coming off the Rossoneri bench.
Pioli has something of an injury crisis to contend with and will be without a number of players for the game. Stefan de Vrij is likely to miss out, along with Senad Lulic. Lazio are also unlikely to be able to call upon in-form forward Felipe Anderson and Stefano Mauri who have contributed twelve goals between them this season, including 9 in the last 6 games – as many as the Rossoneri’s top scorer, Jeremy Menez, has got all season.
Keisuke Honda will be absent for Milan as Japan remain in the Asian Cup and Adil Rami is suspended, but Inzaghi should have new signings Suso and Alessio Cerci to call upon if needed. The Rossoneri have injury problems of their own, with Cristian Zapata, Mattia De Sciglio, Daniele Bonera and Nigel De Jong all sidelined for the encounter.
Form Guide: Lazio (W-W-D-W-D-L) Milan (L-W-D-L-D-L)
Expected Starting XIs
Lazio: Marchetti; Cavanda, Radu, Cana, Basta; Parolo, Biglia, Ledesma; Keita, Djordjevic, Candreva.
Milan: Lopez; Armero, Alex, Mexes, Abate; Muntari, Montolivo, Poli; El Shaarawy, Menez, Bonaventura.
