CONFIRMED lineups for the Lazio-Atalanta clash

On By Littum

As Lazio host Atalanta on matchday 18 in Serie A, Baroni’s men will look to finish off the visitors’ 11 game winning streak in Serie A before saying goodbye to 2024. Atalanta leads the table with 40 pointswith six points separating them from their opponents down in fourth place – Napoli and Inter occupy second and third place.

‘La Dea’ have been a real force in the Italian top flight this season, but their title bid has recently suffered a major blow as in-form Mateo Retegui is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The former Genoa striker was brought in last summer to replace the injured Gianluca Scamacca, who tore his ACL during pre-season, and proved to be one of the signings of the year as he leads the league’s scoring charts with 12 goals.

Midfielder Mario Pasalic therefore stepping in for the injured striker and starting behind Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere in attack. Matteo Ruggeri is also absent from tonight’s clash due to a problem with his right toe, while Scamacca (individual training) and Scalvini (team training) have returned to training from respective long-term injuries.

On the other hand, Manuel Lazzari has given Lazio a fresh injury blow and thus joins the list of absent from the side Pedro and Noslin. Matias Vecino is also ruled out with a long-term injury and is expected to return sometime in February. As a result, Lazio boss Baroni has opted to start Fisayo Dele-Bashiru alongside Nicolo Rovella and Matteo Guendouzi in midfield.

Possible lineups for Lazio v Atalanta

Lazio’s confirmed starting XI (4-3-3): Sample part (GK); Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella, Dele-Bashiru; Tchaouna, Castellanos, Zaccagni.

Atalanta’s confirmed starting XI (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi (GK); Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Zappacosta; Pasalian; De Ketelaere, Lookman.