AC Milan vs Lazio: Key Battles and Predictions

AC Milan take on Lazio this evening as the two early contenders for the UCL spots go head to head in the league at the San Siro. Stefano Pioli has a number of players back from injury and new signings available but Olivier Giroud is missing. We could see Zlatan Ibrahimovic off the bench whilst Franck Kessie and Alessio Romagnoli are set to start. Here are some key battles to look out for:

Key Battles

Central midfielder vs Central defensive midfielder

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic vs Franck Kessie

Kessie returning is a good thing but this is a tough game to be making a come back. He will need to keep Milinkovic-Savic at bay as well as drive forward the attacks especially on the counters. Kessie will need to show physicality and work to constantly put pressure on Lazio’s midfield to ensure they struggle to string together passes.

Central midfielder vs Central defensive midfielder

Luis Alberto vs Sandro Tonali

Even more so than the previous battle, this will be a baptism by fire for Tonali following all the praise he received in the previous game. Alberto is one of the best attacking midfielders in the league and always hurts Milan. If Tonali can hold him off and stifle his creativity he will really establish himself as a core part of this team and make a real case to fight for a starting spot.

Manager vs Manager

Stefano Pioli vs Maurizio Sarri

The game will be a tactical battle and will boil down to Sarri vs Pioli as the approaches taken by the two will determine who prevails. Both sides look to have a good chemistry going in attack and defences that are standing strong. The two areas of the pitch where individual brilliance will make a difference are the midfield and the wings, this is where one team will thrive and the other fail.

Predictions

Kessie Winner

Tonali Winner

Pioli Winner