Edy Reja has named what could be his last starting line-up as Lazio” data-scaytid=”3″>Lazio Coach and is able to name a more convincing back-line.
Edy Reja has named what could be his last starting line-up as Lazio Coach and is able to name a more convincing back-line.
Without a host of defenders at the weekend, Reja was forced to change formation and name just Andre Dias as an available stopper in the League match at Palermo. In the wake of the subsequent 5-1 defeat, Reja handed in his resignation and had the club reject it, but has still indicated that his intentions will only be made clear after this evening’s Europa League clash.
The Coach has better options available to him, with Modibo Diakite, Luciano Zauri and Senad Lulic all returning and likely to feature alongside Dias at the back. Matuzalem and Cristian Ledesma start another game together, despite Reja's desire to rest them.
Stefano Mauri makes his first start since returning from a serious thigh strain, whilst Libor Kozak deputises in attack for the absent Miroslav Klose. Federico Marchetti is only on the bench.
Atletico Coach Diego Simeone, meanwhile, is without playmaker and former Juventus” data-scaytid=”65″>Juventus man Diego, who was ruled out this week with a hamstring injury.
Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Dominguez, Miranda, Godin, Perea; Assuncao, Gabi; Juanfran, Salvio, Koke; A. Lopez
Lazio: Bizzarri; Zauri, Diakite, Dias; Lulic; Matuzalem, Ledesma; Mauri, Hernanes, Candreva; Kozak
Referee: Martin ATKINSON (ENG)