Scores to settle on the return to Rome: The five key battles in Lazio vs. Milan
AC Milan face another difficult test on the road this evening as they travel to face Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.
All things considered, Milan taking seven points from their first three games is not a bad return, especially with Torino away (win) and Juventus away (draw) being two of them. However, they face a Lazio side who have won all three matches and are full of confidence under Gennaro Gattuso.
Not only that, but the Rossoneri emerged empty-handed in each of their last two away games against Lazio last season, losing both 1-0. A late goal from Mattia Zaccagni was enough for the hosts to progress in the Coppa Italia, then Gustav Isaksen scored the only goal in the return league game.
Lazio vs. AC Milan: Five key battles
We start with the obvious one: Mario Gila’s return to the Stadio Olimpico to face his former club. It is no secret that Gila has altered the way Milan defend with his aggression and his quality, allowing Ruben Amorim the chance to impose that high line which is a trademark of his 3-4-2-1 system.
As impressive as the Spaniard has been (Milan are yet to concede with him on the field), he is yet to play a full 90. Coming up against Mattia Zaccagni will be a difficult test too, given the Italian has six goal contributions (three goals, three assists) in 16 career games against the Diavolo. Gila’s task will again be to defend, help build-up and hopefully see out the entire game.
The man of the moment for Milan is Alphadjo Cisse. After scoring against Torino and Juventus, could become only the third player to score in each of his first three away games for Milan in Serie A in the three points for a win era (since 1994-95), after Maurizio Ganz (between January and February 1998) and Krzysztof Piatek (between February and March 2019).
His opponent should be Lazio’s right-sided centre-back Danilho Doekhi, who signed on a free transfer from Union Berlin in the summer and is already looking like a very shrewd bit of business. Lazio have conceded only one goal in their first three games and the Dutchman has been a big part of this, with his size and reading of the game.
In midfield, there will be a fascinating contest between the two marauding box-to-box men: Davide Frattesi and Yunus Musah. Having signed on loan from Inter, Frattesi has returned to Rome and has instantly settled. He scored winners against Bologna and Genoa in the first two rounds, then most recently equalised vs. Udinese to spark the eventual comeback and 2-1 win.
The former Lazio academy man will come up against Musah, who coincidentally was reported to be a target of Gattuso’s in the summer window. Amorim wanted to give him a chance and the faith has so far being repaid, with the American’s dynamism proving to be very useful in both phases, especially moving vertically up the field in transition.
On Milan’s left side, there will be the renewal of a battle that last season marked a turning point in the season, as Pervis Estupinan faces Gustav Isaksen again. The Danish winger got the better of the Ecuadorian in the most recent meeting, capitalising on an error to score the only goal of the game at the Olimpico.
From there, the Rossoneri would collapse not only out of the Scudetto race but out of the top four altogether. Estupinan was expected to be sold and yet Amorim showed faith, like with Musah. So, this is a chance for him to exercise his demons and prove that last season’s mistakes are firmly in the rear-view mirror.
On the other flank, there will be an equally enthralling duel between Nuno Tavares and Samuel Chukwueze. Tavares was one of the names mentioned as a summer target for Milan but he ended up remaining and has started the season well. His pace and size are always a threat, so Chukwueze will have to be attentive in both phases.
However, the Nigerian will mostly be looked to for his creativity. He has provided two assists in three games but didn’t start the last game as Diego Moreira got the nod. There is talk of a new deal being in the air for Chukwueze, and tonight he can anchor his starting spot.
