The final match of Serie A Week 23 sees Lazio visit Genoa, in what should be an intriguing tactical clash.
Words: Elio Salerno
Lazio will be looking to take advantage of Inter’s latest slip-up and solidify 3rd spot in the Serie A table, tightening their grip on a precious Champions League spot in the process.
Genoa visit the Stadio Olimpico off the back of two straight defeats. They will be looking to escape with a point and increase the gap between them and the last relegation place to five points.
The final match of Serie A Week 23 sees Lazio visit Genoa, in what should be an intriguing tactical clash.
Words: Elio Salerno
Lazio will be looking to take advantage of Inter’s latest slip-up and solidify 3rd spot in the Serie A table, tightening their grip on a precious Champions League spot in the process.
Genoa visit the Stadio Olimpico off the back of two straight defeats. They will be looking to escape with a point and increase the gap between them and the last relegation place to five points.
The hosts are without midfield powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic through suspension, this should see Felipe Anderson and Luis Alberto line up in support of Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile. Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi has maintained the use of a 3-5-2/3-5-1-1 throughout the season so far. Milinkovic-Savic is often freed from midfield to join the attack but with him missing tonight the Lazio shape could take on a more of a 3-4-2-1 look with Anderson adopting a higher start position.
The Aquile are known for their quick and incisive attacks, wing backs Adam Marušić and Jordan Lukaku will constantly provide the team with width and depth, allowing the likes of Filipe Anderson and Luis Alberto to occupy spaces centrally. Vertical passes will be a feature of Lazio’s play, they will look to Stefan de Vrij, Lucas Leiva and Marco Parolo to provide these passes from deep into the pockets of space that the Lazio front line will occupy. If Lazio can get the ball into these areas regularly it will spell trouble for Genoa and they will be in for a tough 90 minutes.
With the individual ability and creativity that Felipe Anderson and Luis Alberto possess they will require little in the way of time and space to hurt Genoa; Lazio’s overlapping wing backs will add to the attack and with Ciro Immobile constantly working defenders with his clever movement Inzaghi’s men will have lots of ways to hurt the visitors. Out of possession the home side will be well protected by their back three and will look to press if the opportunity presents itself; shifting to a 3-4-3 shape will allow them to go man for man against Genoa, should the away side play 5-3-2 as expected.
Genoa coach Davide Ballardini has overseen 12 matches between Serie A and the Coppa Italia since his appointment in November. Those 12 matches have seen just 14 goals, with the Grifone keeping seven clean sheets in that period. Genoa have conceded 24 goals so far this season which is the least in Serie A’s bottom half and factor in that they have scored a paltry 16 goals so far, it is hard to see the Rossoblu being brave in their approach tonight.
The visitors should take inspiration from Lazio’s recent struggles against Rino Gattuso’s Milan, the Rossoneri successfully stifled Simone Inzaghi’s men and caused confusion in a defensive unit that has been generally solid all season. Genoa will look to defend deep in a compact block and restrict the passing lanes into the Biancocelesti’s danger men. Counter attack will provide Genoa’s best way to goal, using their busy front pair of Goran Pandev and Gianluca Lapadula they will look to catch Lazio out on the break. Long direct passes into the front men and round the sides of Lazio should allow them to relieve pressure and ask questions of the home side. This direct style of play will allow Genoa to miss out Lazio’s defensive units in the hope they can gain possession in dangerous territory.
Lazio have scored eight goals in their last two home games and a first half goal should be enough to seal victory. It is a tough ask for Genoa, but if the away side can keep the game tight and frustrate their hosts for long periods they could sneak away from the Italian capital with a vital point.