Lazio welcome Juventus in what should be an electric clash in Serie A on Sunday night

Two of Serie A’s most storied clubs meet on Sunday night at the Stadio Olimpico, each hoping to reignite faltering campaigns. Lazio and Juventus have both struggled to live up to expectations so far, and this fixture arrives at a crucial point for managers Maurizio Sarri and Igor Tudor, whose teams are each desperate for stability and momentum.

Juventus head to Rome in the midst of one of their toughest spells in recent memory. After a 2–0 league defeat to Como last weekend and a midweek Champions League loss to Real Madrid, the Bianconeri find themselves in the middle of a worrying slide. Their 1–0 defeat at the Bernabéu was their third straight match without a goal, extending their scoring drought past the 300-minute mark.

Despite a solid defensive structure, Juventus’ lack of cutting edge in the final third has been glaring. Dušan Vlahović and Loïs Openda both squandered key opportunities against Real Madrid, continuing a run of wasteful finishing that has cost them valuable points. Their last goal came from Francisco Conceição against Villarreal over three weeks ago, underlining the team’s current creative stagnation.

The loss to Como also snapped an 11-match unbeaten run in Serie A, though many of those results were draws, a pattern that reflects Juve’s broader inconsistency this season. Still, the Turin giants can take some solace in history: they have failed to score in only one of their last 29 away matches against Lazio, a streak they will hope continues this weekend.

Manager Igor Tudor faces mounting pressure to steady the ship. His side’s last two defeats have come amid questions about tactical balance, and he will need both structure and spark if Juventus are to reverse their slide.

Lazio’s start to the season has been equally disappointing. After opening the campaign with three defeats in their first four matches, Maurizio Sarri’s men have steadied slightly, but they remain mired in mid-table. A 3–0 win over Genoa briefly lifted spirits, followed by a hard-fought draw against Torino and a resilient goalless stalemate away to Atalanta after the international break.

Sarri’s team continues to struggle at home, a venue that was once their greatest strength. Since the start of last season, Lazio have drawn 10 matches at the Olimpico and have won just two of their last 15 league fixtures there, managing a single clean sheet during that time. Their inability to convert possession into victories has been the defining theme of their decline.

Despite flashes of the fluid, possession-based football Sarri is known for, Lazio’s attacking execution has been erratic. The likes of Ciro Immobile, Mattia Zaccagni, and Felipe Anderson have struggled to find consistency in front of goal, while defensive lapses have cost them late points in winnable games.

Adding an intriguing layer to the occasion, Sarri will once again face his former club, the team he guided to a Serie A title in 2020. Ironically, that achievement now feels like a lifetime ago, given Juventus’ and Lazio’s respective struggles to return to those heights.

This match pits two tacticians with distinct philosophies against each other. Igor Tudor prefers a compact, high-energy 3-4-2-1 system built around pressing and vertical transitions, but Juventus’ execution of that approach has been inconsistent. Expect Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie to anchor midfield, with creative responsibility falling to Federico Chiesa and Samuel Iling-Junior behind Vlahović.

Maurizio Sarri, meanwhile, will stick with his trademark 4-3-3 structure, emphasizing controlled buildup and wide overloads. Lazio will aim to dominate possession through Luis Alberto and Matteo Guendouzi, while Ciro Immobile leads the line, supported by Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagni on the flanks.

Given both sides’ recent attacking struggles, control of midfield tempo could determine the outcome. Lazio’s slow buildup might play into Juventus’ pressing traps, but the visitors’ confidence in front of goal remains fragile. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

SS Lazio

Lazio’s squad continues to be stretched thin by a series of injuries and absences that have hampered Maurizio Sarri’s ability to find consistency in both selection and performance. The Biancocelesti will once again be without their leading striker Valentín Castellanos, who remains sidelined for several more weeks due to a muscular problem. His absence leaves a significant void in Lazio’s attack, as the Argentine’s physical presence and hold-up play have been crucial in Sarri’s system.

Adding to Lazio’s woes, the injury list includes several first-team regulars. Nuno Tavares, Nicolò Rovella, Samuel Gigot, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Luca Pellegrini are all unavailable through various fitness issues. This run of setbacks comes at a difficult time for Sarri, whose team has already been hampered by a summer transfer embargo that limited reinforcements. The situation worsened this week when right-winger Matteo Cancellieri, fresh off a brace against Torino, sustained a thigh injury that rules him out of the Juventus clash.

With depth concerns mounting, Sarri will once again be forced to make tactical adjustments and rely on squad rotation to keep his side competitive against a Juventus team eager to respond to its own struggles.

Maurizio Sarri is expected to retain his trusted 4-3-3 formation, prioritising possession control and structured buildup play from the back. Ivan Provedel will start in goal, shielded by a back four of Manuel Lazzari at right-back, Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli as the central defensive pairing, and Adam Marušić occupying the left-back role. This defensive setup will aim to maintain compactness while allowing full-backs to push forward during attacking transitions.

In midfield, Matteo Guendouzi will serve as the box-to-box presence, tasked with advancing play and applying pressure when Lazio lose possession. Danilo Cataldi is set to anchor the midfield as the deep-lying playmaker, distributing the ball efficiently to recycle possession, while Toma Bašić will provide energy and late runs into the attacking third.

Further forward, Gustav Isaksen is expected to start on the right flank, offering pace and direct dribbling to stretch Juventus’ defence. With Castellanos out, Boulaye Dia will likely lead the line as the central striker, supported by Mattia Zaccagni on the left, whose creativity and cutting runs inside will be key in compensating for Lazio’s lack of a natural No. 9.

Sarri will look to maintain a structured defensive block out of possession and rely on quick passing combinations and width in attack to trouble Juventus’ backline.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni

Juventus

Juventus enter the trip to Rome with a near full-strength squad, though a few key absences continue to shape Igor Tudor’s lineup decisions. The defensive unit remains without Gleison Bremer, who is sidelined with a hamstring problem, depriving the Bianconeri of their most commanding presence at the back. In addition, wing-back Juan Cabal is unavailable due to a muscular issue, limiting Tudor’s options on the left flank.

Midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who started on the bench against Real Madrid, is expected to be recalled to the starting lineup and resume his leadership role in central midfield. His return would likely come at the expense of Weston McKennie, whose recent form has been inconsistent. The rest of the squad is fit and available, offering Tudor flexibility in attack as he searches for a more fluid and effective formula in front of goal.

Up front, Jonathan David, Loïs Openda, and Dušan Vlahović are all in contention for starting roles. Vlahović’s record against Lazio may give him the edge, the Serbian striker has scored seven goals in his career versus the Biancocelesti, including two braces in Serie A fixtures. Tudor’s challenge will be balancing his attacking options without compromising the team’s defensive stability.

Igor Tudor is expected to stick with his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, which emphasizes compact defensive organization and swift transitions into attack. Michele Di Gregorio will continue as the first-choice goalkeeper, protected by a back three of Federico Gatti on the right, Daniele Rugani in the central role, and Lloyd Kelly on the left. This trio will aim to remain tight and disciplined against Lazio’s wide-oriented buildup play.

The wing-back positions are likely to feature Pierre Kalulu on the right and Andrea Cambiaso on the left. Both will play key roles in balancing defence with forward thrust, as Juventus rely heavily on their wide players to stretch the field and provide service to the forwards.

In central midfield, Manuel Locatelli will return as the deep-lying orchestrator, providing passing range and composure, while Khephren Thuram will operate alongside him, offering box-to-box dynamism and physical presence. Ahead of them, Francisco Conceição and Kenan Yildiz will occupy the attacking midfield roles, floating between the lines to link play and support the lone striker.

Leading the line, Jonathan David is expected to get the nod, bringing movement and sharp finishing to Juventus’ attack. His combination play with Conceição and Yildiz will be vital in breaking down Lazio’s defensive block.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Rugani, Kelly; Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David

Key Stats

• Juventus have been a dominant force in this fixture, losing only one of their last 12 Serie A meetings with Lazio (winning eight and drawing three). Their last defeat to the Biancocelesti came in November 2019.

• The Bianconeri have failed to score just once in their last 29 away games against Lazio across all competitions, highlighting their consistent ability to find the net at the Stadio Olimpico.

• Lazio have won only two of their last 15 Serie A home matches, drawing 10 and losing three. They have also kept just one clean sheet at the Stadio Olimpico during that run.

• Juventus have gone over 300 minutes without scoring in all competitions, their longest barren spell since 2011. Their last goal came from Francisco Conceição against Villarreal earlier this month.

• Recent meetings between these sides have been low-scoring affairs, four of the last six encounters have produced under 2.5 goals, with Juventus winning three of those by a single-goal margin.

Player to Watch

Kenan Yildiz

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At just 20 years old, Kenan Yildiz has quickly become one of Juventus’ most intriguing young prospects, offering a rare blend of technical flair, confidence, and creativity in a team that has often struggled for inspiration. The Turkish international has shown flashes of brilliance this season. His close control, intelligent movement, and ability to operate between the lines make him a valuable asset in Igor Tudor’s evolving system.

Yildiz’s natural composure on the ball allows him to dictate attacking transitions with maturity beyond his age. His sharp turns and quick decision-making often open up spaces for teammates like Jonathan David or Dušan Vlahović to exploit. Moreover, his willingness to take risks in possession, whether through incisive passes or direct dribbles, adds a dynamic edge to a Juventus attack that has lacked creativity in recent weeks.

Against a Lazio defence that tends to sit deep and absorb pressure, Yildiz’s agility and unpredictability could prove decisive. His ability to glide past defenders and create openings from tight spaces will be key in breaking down Maurizio Sarri’s compact shape. If Juventus are to end their scoring drought, Yildiz’s inventiveness and quick link-up play may well be the spark that reignites their attack.

Prediction

SS Lazio 0–1 Juventus

Both teams enter this fixture under pressure and struggling for rhythm, which sets the stage for a tense and tactical battle at the Stadio Olimpico. Lazio’s home record has been disappointing for over a year, with only two league victories in their last fifteen games, and their injury crisis leaves Maurizio Sarri short of options in attack and defence. Without Valentín Castellanos and Matteo Cancellieri, Lazio’s forward line lacks its usual sharpness, relying heavily on Mattia Zaccagni and Boulaye Dia to find moments of creativity.

Juventus, meanwhile, are desperate to halt their scoring drought, having gone over 300 minutes without a goal. Yet, history is on their side, they have found the net in 28 of their last 29 visits to the Olimpico, and Igor Tudor will expect a reaction after back-to-back defeats. The potential return of Manuel Locatelli to midfield should restore some balance, while young Kenan Yildiz’s creativity could finally unlock the attacking rhythm that has been missing.

Given Lazio’s defensive inconsistencies and Juventus’ attacking frustration, a cautious, low-scoring contest appears likely. Both sides may find success in moments rather than sustained dominance, and a solitary goal could prove decisive.