After an extraordinary away win last week, Lazio hold a slim lead heading into Thursday’s conclusion of their Europa League last-16 clash with Viktoria Plzen.
The Italian side will start with a one-goal advantage at Stadio Olimpico, as they fight it out to face either Bodo/Glimt or Olympiacos in the quarter-finals.
Match preview
© Imago
Having cruised straight through to the Europa League’s last 16 by finishing top of the inaugural league phase, Lazio visited Pilsen for last week’s first leg at Stadion mesta Plzne.
Meeting for the first time, the Rome club and their Czech counterparts produced a dramatic finale, as Marco Baroni‘s nine-man side scored a spectacular 98th-minute winner against all the odds.
After Nicolo Rovella and Samuel Gigot had been sent off, Danish winger Gustav Isaksen lashed home to secure a precious 2-1 success, as Lazio became the first team in UEFA Cup or Europa League history to win when either level or behind with just nine men.
In terms of victories, the Biancocelesti have already matched their best-ever continental campaign – eight wins during the 1999-2000 Champions League – and they are ultimately aiming to win a first European trophy since 1999.
Well placed to make the last eight of Europe’s second-tier competition, Baroni’s boys are also intent on booking their place in next term’s Champions League via a top-four Serie A finish.
Fifth-placed Lazio are locked in a battle with Bologna, Juventus, Fiorentina and arch-rivals Roma to claim qualification following Monday’s 1-1 home draw with Udinese, in which centre-back Alessio Romagnoli scored for a second straight game.
Before meeting Bologna on Sunday, they must first finish the job against Plzen. Despite being unbeaten in 12 Europa League home fixtures dating back to 2019, they have won only one of their last seven two-legged European ties – so complacency cannot be afforded.
© Imago
Ahead of last week’s contest, Viktoria Plzen had lost just one and won 10 of 12 previous home matches in the Europa League, but after spurning an opportunity to make a two-man advantage count they must now find a way to win in Rome.
After reaching the Conference League quarter-finals last season, Plzen took the scenic route to the last 16 of UEFA’s second-tier tournament this term, finishing outside the top eight but then coming through the knockout playoffs.
Miroslav Koubek‘s side set up this tie with Lazio by overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit, with their subsequent 3-0 win over Ferencvaros securing progress; so a similar comeback is required at Stadio Olimpico.
Sitting third in the Czech top flight, Viktoria drew 0-0 with FK Pardubice last weekend, leaving them 12 points behind league leaders Slavia Prague. As a result of that stalemate, they have won only two of their last five games across all competitions.
In addition to recent form, history will weigh against them on Thursday evening: Plzen have lost five of six previous fixtures in Italy – including the last four in a row.
Having also won just two of their last 18 away matches in the Europa League – losing no fewer than 11 – they must now produce a first away win in the knockout phase since February 2014.
Team News
© Imago
Shortly before Monday’s league game, Lazio lost left-back Nuno Tavares and midfield fulcrum Nicolo Rovella to muscular issues, though the latter was still named on the bench.
He will be suspended on Thursday, along with French defender Samuel Gigot, while Elseid Hysaj and top scorer Taty Castellanos are still sidelined by injury; Loum Tchaouna and Tijjani Noslin will vie to replace Castellanos up front.
Captain Mattia Zaccagni missed last week’s first leg but was fit enough to start against Udinese, and he should feature in the hosts’ front line once again. Meanwhile, cup goalkeeper Christos Mandas is set to replace Ivan Provedel.
Viktoria Plzen have several men just one booking away from a ban, but no visiting players will serve a suspension at Stadio Olimpico.
Having scored the equaliser last week, much-admired forward Rafiu Durosimni should start alongside Pavel Sulc and veteran striker Matej Vydra in the final third.
Sulc and Vydra both have three goals and three assists to their name in this season’s Europa League, while rising star Prince Kwabena Abu has netted four times so far.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Mandas; Lazzari, Gila, Patric, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Belahyane; Isaksen, Dia, Pedro; Noslin
Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:
Jedlicka; Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka; Memic, Cerv, Kalvach, Cadu; Sulc; Durosimni, Vydra
We say: Lazio 2-2 Viktoria Plzen (Lazio win 4-3 on aggregate)
Previously a formidable force on Roman soil, Lazio have recently won just one of their last seven league games at the Olimpico and are showing signs of weakness.
Yet, their first-leg lead stands the Biancocelesti in good stead, as even a home draw would send them through to the quarter-finals at Plzen’s expense.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
