Serie A Preview: Empoli vs. Lazio
Maurizio Sarri makes his official Lazio debut against the club where he first experienced Serie A and there are still many uncertainties around both teams.
Patrick Cutrone is pushing Nicolas Haas for a starting spot upfront following the entertaining 4-2 Coppa Italia victory over Vicenza. They were promoted under Alessio Dionisi, but coach Aurelio Andreazzoli has now returned for a third stint at the Stadio Castellani.
Lazio’s transfer strategy was held up by a lack of liquidity, although this week they were finally able to register new players including Felipe Anderson, Pedro and Raul Moro. It’s a huge shift from Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-1-1 to Sarri’s 4-3-3 and pre-season friendlies have been mixed.
Stat fact: Empoli have lost each of their last five Serie A meetings with Lazio.
Probable line-ups
Empoli (4-3-2-1): Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Romagnoli, Marchizza; S Ricci, Stulac, Bandinelli; Bajrami, Haas; Mancuso
Suspended: None
Injured: None
On a yellow card: None
Lazio (4-3-3): Strakosha; Lazzari, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Hysaj; Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Correa
Suspended: None
Injured: Adekanye, Cataldi
On a yellow card: None
Ref: Sozza