Lazio vs. Verona: Preview, Team News, and Prediction for Serie A Match

After an inconsistent start to the season, Lazio will seek their second Serie A home win when they host Hellas Verona on Monday. The teams convene at Stadio Olimpico, with the hosts surprisingly trailing their visitors in the table following a lively draw with AC Milan just before the international break.

After failing to follow up an opening-day win over promoted Venezia with another success away to Udinese one week later, Lazio were closing in on three points last time out at the Olimpico, where they led Milan 2-1 with only 20 minutes remaining. However, second-half strikes from new forward pairing Taty Castellanos and Boulaye Dia were ultimately sufficient for just one point, as the Rossoneri's Rafael Leao produced a stunning equaliser soon after leaving the bench.

Nonetheless, the capital club are now unbeaten through their last seven home games in Serie A, which represents their best such run since the end of 2021, when Simone Inzaghi's side posted a streak of 19, winning no fewer than 17. While Lazio's current crop are far short of those high standards, new boss Marco Baroni has quietened the doubters for now, having been an unpopular appointment during the summer.

Ahead of his first European adventure with the Biancocelesti - Dynamo Kiev will be their opening Europa League opponents later this month - Baroni must tackle his former club, then a tricky visit to Fiorentina in his hometown of Florence. Baroni coached Verona last season and successfully led them to safety, but he has lost each of his three previous top-flight contests against the Gialloblu, with his teams failing to score a single goal in the process.

Lazio, though, have scored in all but one of their last 21 league matches against Monday's visitors, averaging 2.2 goals per game. Given such a lack of clean sheets, it is perhaps not surprising that Verona have won only one of their last 16 away games against Lazio in Serie A, losing 11. When the two sides last met, in April, the Biancocelesti came out on top at Stadio Olimpico, with Mattia Zaccagni scoring the winner against his old club in the 72nd minute.

However, a bright start to the new season under Paolo Zanetti may boost hopes of a Verona victory, as they posted two wins from three before international football intervened. After the Scaligeri stunned Napoli with a 3-0 triumph on the opening day, before suffering a reverse of that scoreline against Juventus, they scored twice in the second half to beat Genoa last time out. Stretching back to last season, when still led by Baroni, Verona have won five of their last nine league games - and they could now win both of their first two Serie A away fixtures for the very first time.

As Mario Gila will make his return from a thigh injury and may even start in central defence, Lazio have no significant absences to concern them following the international break. While Matteo Guendouzi patrols the hosts' midfield, Taty Castellanos is set to link up with captain Mattia Zaccagni in the final third; another ex-Verona forward, Tijjani Noslin, will vie with Boulaye Dia to join them. Blighted by injury last season, Nuno Tavares set up both goals against Milan, and after earning glowing praise from Marco Baroni, he should continue at left-back.

As only Suat Serdar and Juan Manuel Cruz are sidelined, Verona coach Paolo Zanetti may name the same XI that started in Genoa at the start of September. Therefore, Casper Tengstedt would beat Daniel Mosquera to selection up front, with Darko Lazovic providing the Danish striker's supply line from out on the left flank. An experienced Serbia international, Lazovic already has two assists to his name this season and has registered four against Lazio in his Serie A career to date.

Lazio's Tactical Approach

Lazio coach Marco Baroni tackled several topics in his pre-match press conference on the eve of the club’s encounter against his former employers Hellas Verona (via La Lazio Siamo Noi). The 60-year-old looked back on his experience with the Gialloblu with pride, insisting he gave his all for the club, while noting that the Biancocelesti have a tough task ahead of them.

“This is a healthy team that has achieved important results and produced good performances. This will certainly be a difficult match for us, even the boys are prepared. I always start from the assumption that when you know you have given everything, you get to carry the beauty of the expierience with you. But now, we turn the page, as we will have deliver a top dispay.”

On another note, Baroni quashed all the media talk about Christos Mandas usurping Ivan Provedel in the pecking order, insisting the latter remains the first choice between the posts. “I don’t know who brought up this issue. The owner is Provedel, who is respected by everyone, a top-level professional. We are lucky to have another very good young goalkeeper. He has his role and a bright future ahead of him, but I have a clear hierarchy, especially in this particular role. This isn’t up for disucssion.”

The former Verona and Lecce coach also hinted he will continue to play with an additional striker after fielding Boulaye Dia behind Taty Castellanos against Milan. “This team must start with the objective of scoring goals. I always start from the offensive phase. We are working on it, also on the balance. I don’t think the problem is having an extra offensive player, the important thing is that everyone must run hard. I prefer to have an extra attacker rather than a defender.”

Baroni also confirmed Gaetano Castrovilli’s words regarding his omission from the Europa League squad. He explains it was a shared decision with the player to preserve his physical condition. “This is a choice shared with the player. Gaetano is a talent, one of the best Italian players. He’s coming from a serious injury. Last season he played five games. He is fine now. I felt he would struggle to play three matches in a row.”

The Lazio boss admitted his fury for conceding an early goal in each of the team’s first three outings of the season. “It’s something that angers me, and the team knows it. We have to go on the pitch without losing even a minute of concentration. We must have a constant presence because the game is always heated. We have analyzed the drops, they must not happen again, and we will do everything to ensure it.”

Concerning the backline, Baroni revealed that Mario Gila is fit to start, while new signing Samuel Gigot remains behind. “Gigot is slightly behind physically, he had been working separately at OM. He is a player with a strong personality, he will find his form as the weeks go by. Gila is doing very well, I will have to make some evaluations because for us he is a very important player.”

Verona's Tactical Approach

Lazio coach Marco Baroni could hand Mario Gila his seasonal debut on Monday when the team hosts Hellas Verona at the Stadio Olimpico. With the international players now back at Formello, La Lazio Siamo Noi provides the latest updates from the training ground while predicting the manager’s selections for the upcoming contest.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Taty Castellanos were the last to return to the Italian capital. But while the Argentine is tipped to lead the line, the Nigerian might have to settle for a place on the bench. The source also reveals that Gila has now fully recovered and is pushing for a starting role alongside Alessio Romagnoli at the expense of Patric.

There could also be a duel for the right-back slot, with Adam Marusic considered the favorite ahead of Manuel Lazzari. On the opposite flank, Nuno Tavares has cemented himself as the ultimate first choice after his splendid debut against Milan. Meanwhile, Luca Pellegrini is only training partially with his teammates.

In the middle of the park, Nicolo Rovella will likely link up with Matteo Guendouzi, albeit Matias Vecino remains in the fray. While Castellanos and Mattia Zaccagni are now deemed automatic starters, Gustav Isaksen is the leading candidate on the right wing, ahead of Loum Tchaouna and Tijjani Noslin.

Finally, Boulaye Dia will be looking to build on his promising full debut against Milan. But he’ll have to ward off the challenge of Gaetano Castrovilli who has been tested for the attacking-midfielder role.

How to Watch

After a shaky start to the campaign, Lazio will be aiming for their second home victory in Serie A as they welcome Hellas Verona on Monday.

It's been a bit of an up-and-down season for Marco Baroni's side, who have managed one win but also suffered a defeat in their first three league outings. A major issue for Lazio has been their defensive discipline, as they've yet to keep a clean sheet. This was evident in their last match, where they squandered the lead in a 2-2 draw with AC Milan.

On the other hand, Paolo Zanetti will be quite satisfied with Verona's start, having secured two wins from three matches. They enter Monday’s encounter on the back of a 2-0 triumph over Genoa in their most recent Serie A fixture.

Despite a 3-0 loss to Juventus in their second match, which highlighted some defensive frailties, Verona have displayed considerable attacking prowess, netting five goals so far, with contributions coming from various players.

Here GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.

In the United States (US), the Serie A match between Lazio and Verona will be available to watch and stream online live through Paramount+ (sign up for a free 7-day trial), CBS Golazo Network and Amazon Prime Video. Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates. If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.

The match will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy on Monday, September 16, with kick-off at 2:45 pm ET/ 11:45 am PT for fans in the US.

Team News

With Mario Gila set to make his return from a thigh injury and possibly start in central defense, Lazio head into the game without any major injury concerns after the international break.

Matteo Guendouzi will command the midfield for the home side, while Taty Castellanos is expected to partner with captain Mattia Zaccagni up front. Former Verona striker Tijjani Noslin will be competing with Boulaye Dia for a spot alongside them.

After being plagued by injuries last season, Nuno Tavares made a big impact by assisting both goals in the draw with AC Milan. Following high praise from Marco Baroni, he's likely to keep his place at left-back.

Lazio possible XI: Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Tavares; Rovella, Guendouzi; Tchaouna, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos

With Suat Serdar and Juan Manuel Cruz the only players currently sidelined, Verona coach Paolo Zanetti is likely to stick with the same starting lineup that began the match against Genoa earlier in September.

As a result, Casper Tengstedt is expected to edge out Daniel Mosquera for the forward role, with Darko Lazovic delivering the key passes from the left wing.

An experienced Serbian international, Lazovic has already contributed two assists this season and has provided four assists against Lazio throughout his Serie A career.

Hellas Verona possible XI: Montipo; Tchatchoua, Coppola, Dawidowicz, Frese; Belahyane, Duda; Suslov, Harroui, Lazovic; Tengstedt

Prediction

While Verona have exceeded expectations so far this season, Lazio may deal out a defeat to the Scaligeri on Monday evening. The hosts have averaged two goals per game since freshening up their attack during the summer, so they can claim maximum points on home turf. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.