Marco Baroni begins life at Lazio with a visit from newly promoted Venezia at the iconic Stadio Olimpico this afternoon. The match marks a fresh start for both teams, with Lazio looking to assert their dominance at home and Venezia eager to make a strong impression in their return to the top flight.
Lazio: Aiming for a Strong Start
Lazio enter the match with a sense of urgency after finishing seventh in the league last season, which was not enough to secure European football. The club has undergone significant changes, including the appointment of new manager Baroni, who is tasked with revitalizing the squad. Despite the departure of key players like talismanic striker Ciro Immobile, Lazio have shown promise in pre-season, remaining unbeaten in six matches and claiming four victories.
Mattia Zaccagni, who has remained a standout performer, will be crucial for Lazio’s attacking threat alongside Valentin Castellanos, who the club were eager to keep this summer. The team will look to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mateo Guendouzi running the Biancocelesti’s midfield, alongside Matias Vecino, while new signing Tijjani Noslin will likely sit just behind the lone striker.
Venezia: Back in the Top Flight
Venezia return to Serie A after a two-year absence, having secured promotion through the play-offs. Managed by Eusebio Di Francesco, the team will be looking to establish itself in the top tier once again. However, their recent form has been mixed, suffering a surprising setback with a 3-1 loss to Brescia in the Coppa Italia.
Despite this, Venezia showed resilience in their previous matches, including a solid pre-season where they won four out of six games. They will rely on players like Christian Gytkjaer, who will be looking to find the net after a strong showing in Serie B. Venezia’s challenge will be to adapt quickly to the demands of Serie A, especially against a formidable opponent like Lazio.
Tactical Battle
Lazio are expected to have more of the ball and will likely control the game, utilizing their midfield strength to dictate play and create scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Venezia may adopt a more defensive stance, playing 3-4-2-1, aiming to absorb pressure and make the most of the flanks and counter-attacks.
Predictions
Given Lazio’s home advantage and their superior squad depth, they are the overwhelming favourties to win this match. A predicted scoreline of 2-0 in favour of Lazio reflects their attacking capabilities and historical success against Venezia, who will need to be at their best to secure any points.
