Lazio cannot afford to rotate the squad too much between crucial Champions League games, but Ciro Immobile starts against surprise outfit Spezia.
It kicks off at the Orogel Stadium in Cesena at 14.00 GMT, probably the last time Spezia are playing here before returning to their home arena, the Stadio Picco.
Lazio cannot afford to rotate the squad too much between crucial Champions League games, but Ciro Immobile starts against surprise outfit Spezia.
It kicks off at the Orogel Stadium in Cesena at 14.00 GMT, probably the last time Spezia are playing here before returning to their home arena, the Stadio Picco.
Lazio are struggling to balance their Champions League commitments with Serie A, having lost 3-1 at home to Udinese last week before a 1-1 draw away to Borussia Dortmund.
There’s one final group game coming up and qualification is not yet guaranteed, so coach Simone Inzaghi is torn between squad rotation and getting back on track in Serie A.
Immobile continues to lead the way, fired up after his period in isolation due to COVID, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic also making his first start midweek.
Joaquin Correa and Felipe Caicedo are rested in favour of Andreas Pereira, while Vedat Muriqi and Senad Lulic are on the treatment table.
Spezia have been the surprise outfit of the season so far, amassing 10 points in their first nine Serie A games.
Above all, coach Vincenzo Italiano gets them to play attacking, entertaining and positive football, showing no fear against the bigger clubs.
There are still a lot of injuries, including Agoume, Andrij Galabinov, Federico Mattiello, Jeroen Zoet and Cristian Dell’Orco.
M’Bala Nzola and Emmanuel Gyasi again lead the way, with Diego Farias completing the trident this time.
Spezia: Provedel; Salva Ferrer, Terzi, Chabot, S Bastoni; Estevez, Ricci, Maggiore; Gyasi, Nzola, Farias
Lazio: Reina; Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Luis Alberto, Marusic; Immobile, Pereira
Ref: Chiffi