Lazio to Rotate Squad for Europa League Clash Against OGC Nice

Lazio will seek their second consecutive victory in the Europa League as they face French club OGC Nice at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The match is scheduled to kick off on Thursday at 18:45 CET (16:45 GMT). Lazio’s head coach, Marco Baroni, is set to rotate his squad once again, offering opportunities to players who have seen limited action in recent matches.

Following a dynamic 3-2 victory in their domestic league on Sunday, Baroni is expected to give rest to several key players. Tijjani Noslin is unavailable due to suspension, while Gaetano Castrovilli is absent from Lazio’s UEFA squad. Captain Alessio Romagnoli is likely to be on the bench, with Mario Gila and Patric stepping into central defense roles.

In midfield, Matias Vecino will partner with Matteo Guendouzi, replacing Nicolò Rovella, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Pedro, and Loum Tchaouna will support Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos in attack. Castellanos, who transferred to Lazio last summer, is still in search of his first goal in European competition.

The provisional line-up for Lazio follows a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Christos Mandas potentially making his season debut as goalkeeper, replacing the usual Ivan Provedel. Adam Marusic and Luca Pellegrini are expected to fill in as full-backs.

Meanwhile, OGC Nice, managed by Frank Haise, faces several injury challenges. The team will miss Gaetan Laborde, Melvin Bard, Morgan Sanson, and Tarem Moffi due to injuries. Veteran defender Dante will start alongside Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Moise Bombito, with Marcin Bulka taking charge between the posts.

The Nice squad will use a 3-4-3 formation, featuring Jonathan Clauss and Ali Abdi as wing-backs, while Pablo Rosario and Hicham Boudaoui occupy the central midfield positions. Youssoufa Moukoko will lead the attack, supported by Jeremie Boga and Evann Guessand.

Both teams aim to maximize their performance and gather valuable points as the Europa League group stage progresses. The fixture promises to test the tactical adaptability and depth of each squad, potentially delivering an exciting contest for fans and neutrals alike.