After a poor opening half of the season, Lazio recalled Edoardo Reja to manage them and have now managed to climb the table to seventh, with Reja's customary style of unspectacularly grinding out results giving the Biancocelesti a solid block on which to build. Whether or not they can recover enough to qualify for Europe again next season is debatable; they sit seventh, five points behind in-form Parma but only one ahead of Hellas Verona and it looks as it European play next season will hinge on whether or not a side above them goes through a rough patch of form.
Lazio vs. AC Milan: Preview and TV Schedule
Lazio and Milan have suffered lacklustre seasons by their standards thus far, with European qualification looking a long way off for either side.
AC Milan's season started badly and continued as such, and even the sacking of Max Allegri hasn't provided any impetus as Clarence Seedorf's side still flounder in 11th in Serie A and were comprehensively ousted from the Champions League, being outclassed 5-1 on aggregate by Atlético Madrid. In addition to their European woes, Milan have also lost their last three league matches, losing at home to the two form sides in Juventus and Parma, as well as away to fellow strugglers Udinese.
The last time these sides met was at the end of October and with Allegri and Petković still in the dugouts. It was a cagey affair between two struggling teams that ended in a 1-1 draw. That said, Lazio have improved markedly since then whilst Milan have stagnated and been unable to pull themselves out of mid-table.
Lazio injuries and suspensions:
Out: Ederson, Emiliano Alfaro, Mamadou Tounkara (injured). In doubt: Federico Marchetti, Miroslav Klose, Lorik Cana, André Dias, Hélder Postiga.
Milan injuries and suspensions:
Out: Ignazio Abate, Stephan El Shaarawy (injured); Christian Abbiati (suspended). In doubt: Andrea Petagna, Daniele Bonera, Riccardo Montolivo, Bryan Cristante
Projected lineups
Lazio: Marchetti, Konko, Biava, Novaretti, Radu, González, Biglia, Ledesma, Keita, Lulič, Klose
Milan: Amelia, De Sciglio, Mexés, Zapata, Emanuelson, De Jong, Essien, Poli, Honda, Kaká, Balotelli
Match date/time: Sunday 23 March 2014, 20:45 local, 14:45 E.T.
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: Sky Calcio 2, Premium Calcio 1 (Italy); beIN Sport (USA); BT Sport 1 (UK).
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