Both victims of a shock defeat last week, Lazio and AC Milan will aim to bounce straight back in Serie A's Saturday night kickoff, as they go head-to-head at Stadio Olimpico.

While the Biancocelesti were beaten in Udine, promoted Parma stunned Milan, so neither side can afford to slip up in their final game before the international break.

Match preview

Having been handed a relatively soft start to his reign in Rome, new Lazio boss Marco Baroni hoped to follow up an opening-day win over promoted Venezia with another success away to Udinese last weekend.

However, the Biancocelesti went one goal down within five minutes of the first whistle, and they conceded again soon after the break.

Even after their hosts were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half, Baroni's side could only produce a late consolation strike from Gustav Isaksen during stoppage time, so they returned to the capital city empty-handed.

That unexpected setback halted an unbeaten run of eight matches stretching back to last season, which ended with former coach Igor Tudor following his predecessor Maurizio Sarri out of the Olimpico exit.

Now, a new man will attempt to end Lazio's run of three straight Serie A defeats to Milan without scoring a single goal, including a 1-0 loss to the Rossoneri when the clubs met in Rome six months ago.

While Milan have won no fewer than five of their last six league matches against Lazio, they have not recorded successive away wins against the Biancocelesti since 2009.

Head coach Paulo Fonseca will be keen to do so on Saturday evening, after making an uncomfortable start to his time in the hotseat at San Siro.

Having drawn 2-2 with Torino on Serie A's opening matchday - after trailing by two goals until the 89th minute - Milan suffered a chastening defeat at Stadio Tardini last time out.

After conceding an early goal, a second-half leveller from Christian Pulisic pulled the Rossoneri back into their game against newly promoted Parma, but Matteo Cancellieri's late winner punished another defensive mistake.

For the first time since 2011, Milan have not won either of their first two league fixtures, and despite attempting the most shots (43), having most touches in the opposition area (82) and making the most direct attacks (10) in Serie A so far, concerns remain about their brittle back four.

Fonseca's Roma side were renowned for a soft centre, before the Portuguese coach went on to impress with Lille last term, and if his new team lose again this weekend, Milan would make their worst start to a season this century.

Team News

Marco Baroni's defensive options are set to be restricted by absences, as Mario Gila is still sidelined by a thigh problem and Nicolo Casale - heavily linked with a move to Bologna - could also be unavailable. Left-back Lorenzo Pellegrini was involved in a car crash last week but may make the squad.

In contrast, Lazio's head coach has no such concerns in midfield, where Nicolo Rovella, Matias Vecino and Danilo Cataldi will once again vie for selection in a holding role just in front of the hosts' back four.

Meanwhile, supporting Taty Castellanos up front, captain Mattia Zaccagni will aim to continue his fine recent record at Stadio Olimpico - the Italy winger has been directly involved in four of Lazio's last six home goals.

Zaccagni's equivalent on the left of Milan's attack is Rafael Leao, who has yet to score this season but has created the most chances, played the most balls into the opposition box and attempted the joint-most shots (11, level with Castellanos) in Serie A so far.

As the visitors' main summer signing Alvaro Morata is still ruled out by a thigh injury, either Luka Jovic or Noah Okafor will link up with Leao and Christian Pulisic in the final third; Tammy Abraham should be on the bench.

After both making their Serie A debut as a substitute against Parma, two more recent arrivals - Emerson Royal and Youssouf Fofana - could be involved again, perhaps even starting if Paulo Fonseca decides to tinker with an unsuccessful formula.

Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Tavares; Rovella, Guendouzi; Tchaouna, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos

AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Okafor

We say: Lazio 2-2 AC Milan

These clubs have not drawn with each other in Serie A since 2018 - Milan lead 8-3 in wins since then - but the points will be shared on Saturday night.

Neither side is entirely convincing in defence, so a selection of speedy and skilful forwards can thrive at Stadio Olimpico.


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