Preview and lineups for Celtic vs. Lazio for round 2
The Scottish champions will meet the Serie A runners-up from last season in Group E of the Champions League on Wednesday at Celtic Park. Last term, the Hoops failed to move from their groups, placing last in Group F with no wins. Meanwhile, the visitors are making their first appearance in the Champions League since 2020/21.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were defeated 2-0 against Feyenoord in their first group match of the season, and they were reduced to nine men following the dismissal of a player.
Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Holm came on in the second half. Celtic will be searching for their first group stage victory since 2017 here, and considering the Biancocelesti are not in the competition, this could be an ideal moment to play them.
With the final action of the game, the visitors secured a dramatic draw in their Champions League debut. Ivan Provedel, Lazio’s goalkeeper, scored for the second time in his career with a last-gasp header against Atletico Madrid at home. It’s time to begin our Celtic vs. Lazio preview.
Celtic Preview
Celtic won the Scottish Premiership, League Cup, and Scottish Cup under Ange Postecoglou last season. For the second consecutive season, winning the title ensured them a place in the Champions League group stage. They will, however, have to break a troubling pattern by winning a Champions League match at home for the first time since 2013.
Rodgers took over as manager of the Hoops this season after Postecoglou left for Leicester City. Between 2016 and 2019, he was the manager of Parkhead, where he won two Scottish league titles. This season, he has led them to six victories while scoring in only one league game.
Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, 22, has been in terrific form this season, scoring five goals and assisting twice in just seven league games. In his last three Scottish Premiership matches, he has also scored. Kyogo Furuhashi, who is expected to lead the line, will be a threat as well.
Lazio Preview
The Biancocelesti were trounced 2-0 at the weekend by Milan, their fourth defeat of the season after only seven Serie A games. Lazio has only won two league games this season and drew their first Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at home.
Losses to Lecce, Genoa, and Juventus set the tone for Marurizio Sarri’s Lazio from the outset. Even though they defeated last season’s Scudetto champions Napoli on the road, Lazio have not been good enough, and Sarri’s relationship with president Claudio Lotito has been strained.
Lazio, on the other hand, should be successful in their return to Europe, as they are unbeaten in their past seven Champions League group stage matches. Regardless, the Biancocelesti will have to
Despite starting on the bench over the weekend, the veteran striker is expected to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday. He only scored two league goals this season, his lowest total since 2015/16 with Torino. However, the 33-year-old remains a high-quality attacking danger and will be looking to regain form here.
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