Gattuso Prepares Major Lineup Rotation as Lazio Fans Flock to Ascoli
· Yahoo Sports
Although Lazio will be in action for the second day in a row, the starting lineup and the overall scene will be drastically different in Ascoli.
Lazio Prepare for Ascoli Friendly on Sunday
The Biancocelesti have now played three friendlies this summer, with the latest taking place on Saturday. Less than 36 hours removed from the 6-3 win over Avellino, Gennaro Gattuso’s men will be hosted by Ascoli at the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca. So, for the first time in this pre-season, Lazio will play outside of their training ground in Formello.
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Lazio 6-3 Avellino: Nesta’s Men Overwhelmed in Saturday Morning’s Friendly
Lazio Fans Flock to Ascoli
According to Il Messaggero, the club’s revolting supporters will take the opportunity to support the team for the first time since last season’s Coppa Italia final. The organized fan groups have been boycotting the club’s home fixtures since January as part of their protest against unpopular president Claudio Lotito, but vowed to follow the team on the road.
Therefore, around 2,700 Lazio supporters are expected in Ascoli on Sunday evening (the game kicks off at 20:45 local time). Interestingly, the away section’s capacity is only 900 seats, so two-thirds of the travelling Biancocelesti will have to find a way to access the stadium through other sections.
The Expected Starting Lineup
Since playing two days in a row is an uncommunality in football, Gattuso will drop those who started on Saturday against Avellino, with a few exceptions, namely Christos Mandas, who should keep his place in goal, and Alfonso Pedraza, who appears set to start again at left-back in the absence of the injured Nuno Tavares.
Manuel Lazzari, Danilho Doekhi and Oliver Provstgaard should replace Romano Floriani Mussolini, Adam Marusic, and Alessio Romagnoli at the back. Moreover, the young midfield duo of Adrian Przyborek and Reda Belahyane should make way for Nicolo Rovella and Kenneth Taylor.
Up front, Gabriele Artistico could take over from Petar Ratkov, while the supporting crew could change from Matteo Cancellieri, Boulaye Dia, and Federico Serra to Tijjani Noslin, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and club captain Mattia Zaccagni.
Lazio Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Mandas; Lazzari, Doekhi, Provstgaard, Pedraza; Rovella, Taylor; Noslin, Dele-Bashiru, Zaccagni; Artistico.