As Lazio prepare to host Inter Milan in a crucial Serie A encounter, coach Marco Baroni faces a selection challenge in his attack. The team’s top scorer, Taty Castellanos, will be unavailable due to a suspension for accumulated bookings, forcing Baroni to reshuffle his in-form front line.
The leading candidate to fill Castellanos’ shoes is Tijjani Noslin, who recently made headlines with an impressive hat-trick against Napoli in the Coppa Italia. Noslin’s performance has put him in prime position to lead the Biancocelesti’s attack against the Nerazzurri.
Baroni has allayed concerns about defenders Luca Pellegrini and Patric, both of whom were substituted after sustaining knocks during the midweek Europa League match in Amsterdam. Additionally, midfielder Matias Vecino and center-back Alessio Romagnoli are expected to be fit for Monday’s clash.
Lazio’s squad depth offers Baroni several options. Spanish veteran Pedro, who has been Lazio’s top scorer in the Europa League with four goals, could feature, while the ever-reliable Matteo Guendouzi is set to partner with Nicolo Rovella in midfield.
Inter, meanwhile, will be without former Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi due to a thigh injury. Benjamin Pavard and reserve goalkeeper Raffaele Di Gennaro are also unavailable for the visitors.
On a positive note for Inter, Denzel Dumfries is likely to return to the starting lineup after missing the Leverkusen match due to illness, replacing Matteo Darmian on the right flank.
In attack, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez is expected to reclaim his place alongside Marcus Thuram, replacing the out-of-form Mehdi Taremi. Thuram has been a standout performer in Serie A this year, directly contributing to 20 goals, a tally matched only by Atalanta’s prolific trio of Mateo Retegui, Ademola Lookman, and Charles De Ketelaere.
Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Noslin
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
