The textual chronicle
Fresh from the away victory over Napoli leaders, Lazio returns to the European stage after the success in the double play-off match against Cluj and presents itself at the Olimpico for the first leg of the knockout round against the Dutch Az Alkmaar, third in the standings in the Eredivisie behind Feyenoord first and Ajax second.
Similarly, the biancocelesti occupy the same position in the Serie A championship.
A challenge that promises to be difficult for Sarri's men who will not be able to count on the presence of Ciro Immobile: after the trip to Naples, the bomber accused a resentment to the flexor and a swollen ankle. Rest, therefore, for the striker who could be replaced in the role in this circumstance by Felipe Anderson, Pedro or Cancellieri.
The Dutch qualified directly to the knockout stage of the Cup, by virtue of the first place in Pool E which ended with a haul of five wins and only one defeat (in Nicosia, against Apollon).
No official precedent between Lazio and Az Alkmaar, so this is an unprecedented challenge in UEFA competitions.
Official formations
LAZIO (4-3-3): Maximian; Lazzari, Patric, Casale, Marusic; Milinkovic, Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Pedro, Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni. Available: Provedel, Magro, Hysaj, Romagnoli, Gila, Pellegrini, Vecino, Marcos Antonio, Basic, Romero, Cancellieri. Coach: Sarri.
AZ ALKMAAR (4-3-3): Ryan; Sugawara, Goes, Hatzidiakos, Kerkez; Clasie, Mijnans, Reijnders; Odgaard, Pavlidis, Karlsson. Available: Verhulst, Owusu-Oduro, Mihailovic, Yusuf Barasi, van Brederode, Lahdo, Buurmeester, M. de Wit, Meerdink, Schouten. Coach: Jansen.
Getty
Maurizio Sarri
Sarri: "Napoli's victory can be a danger"
"After the success with Milan we felt satisfied and we were not able to give continuity. These are mistakes that we will not have to repeat", said the Biancoceleste coach ahead of the match against the Dutch. Objective, therefore, not to underestimate the challenge after the beautiful statement on the Neapolitans in Naples.