Lazio have it all to do to make the last 16 of the Europa League this evening when they travel to Atletico Madrid, 3-1 down from the first leg.
Last week, Atletico produced a fantastic performance to secure a comfortable victory that saw them score three priceless away goals. This was despite Lazio taking the lead through Miroslav Klose early in the game.
It means that Lazio now have to score at least three times to progress to the last 16, something that could prove too much for them away from home. They will have to attack from the very first whistle though, so at least they don’t have to make a decision on the mentality they will adopt.
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Their form going into tonight’s fixtures isn’t particularly encouraging though. In the one game since the defeat at home to Atletico, they were hammered 5-1 at Palermo to make it three defeats in their last four matches across all competitions, and the Biancocelesti have plenty of injury worries, with Miroslav Klose and Tommaso Rocchi missing, which could mean a start for 17-year-old Antonio Rozzi.
They have also only won one of their four Europa League away games this season, scoring more than once on a single occasion back in August last year. Quite simply, they need to turn things around massively if they are to progress.
As for Atletico, well they will be aware that they are in an excellent position, but they need to maintain their focus. Lazio will come at them from the very start and they need to make sure they don’t concede early.
If the Spanish club – who sit 6th in La Liga – get to half-time without letting Lazio score, they really would have one foot in the last 16.
They can be encouraged by their recent form too. They have gone eight games unbeaten across all competitions, keeping a clean sheet an impressive six times in this sequence.
They have also won all of their home games in the Europa League this season, so from 8.05pm this evening, Atletico Madrid are no doubt the favourites to progress at the expense of Lazio.