A little more than one step away from the first seasonal finish line. Lazio’s Marco Baroni has a very important set point this afternoon at the Olympic Stadium against Ludogorets to put a first mortgage on the round of 16 of the Europa League. Having closed the playoff discussion thanks to the success against Porto, now the Biancocelesti want to take advantage of what has been an extraordinary start to the European campaign. Against the Bulgarians, Lazio can reach 15 points, a figure that has been established as probably sufficient to reach the top eight. We will perhaps still need 1/2 points to be certain, but beating Ludogorets today would put access to the round of 16 on ice. This would allow Lazio to use the last three European matches to rotate the elements even more and above all avoid the playoffs in February at a very delicate moment for the season.
Lazio, the withdrawals of Zaccagni and Dele-Bashiru
In the finishing that took place yesterday at Formello both Zaccagni and Dele-Bashiru had to raise the white flag. Nothing particularly serious for both of them, the number 10 has not yet recovered from a bruise suffered on Sunday against Bologna while the Nigerian has a slight muscle strain. However, caution reigns supreme, especially in such a delicate moment of the season where games are always played every three days. As always, Baroni mixes up the cards and changes seven starters compared to the match against Bologna. Four fifths of the defense change, with only Pellegrini confirmed given the injury to Tavares who in all likelihood won’t even be there in Parma. In the center the Gigot-Patric couple with Marusic on the right in front of Mandas, to all intents and purposes cup goalkeeper. Vecino and Guendouzi confirmed in midfield, while Rovella will come in during the match to give one of the two midfielders a breather. Rest also for Castellanos, who will make way for Noslin at the center of the attack, with Dia behind him in the centre, Pedro on the left and Tchaouna on the right.