Lazio’s Zaccagni Out for Europa League Clash Against Viktoria Plzen

ROME, Italy — Lazio‘s captain, Mattia Zaccagni, will miss tonight’s Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen due to a calf muscle strain. The result of this injury raises concerns not only for this match but also for Lazio’s upcoming Serie A encounter against Udinese.

Head coach Marco Baroni addressed the media ahead of the first leg of the Round of 16, emphasizing the importance of the match. ‘We approach this game that we earned through our performance on the field. These are beautiful matches that bring prestige to all clubs involved. We know how difficult this game will be, coming off a match where we exerted a lot of energy. However, we find the energy in these types of games. The team will give its maximum performance with dedication and determination, while carrying our identity,’ Baroni stated.

The match will kick off at 21:00 local time in Czech Republic. Despite Zaccagni’s absence, Baroni has selected a competitive squad, including goalkeepers Provedel and Furlanetto, alongside defenders Romagnoli and Milani. The midfield features Guendouzi and Vecino, while Pedro and Dia are expected to lead the attack.

In addition to Zaccagni, injuries have sidelined Dele-Bashiru and Castellanos, along with several players excluded from the UEFA roster, including Pellegrini and Basic.

The expected lineup for Viktoria Plzen is a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Vydra and Durosinmi as the main strike partnership. Notably, trequartista Sulc has scored nine goals in the Chance Liga and has found the back of the net three times in the Europa League. Baroni’s side aims to counter this attacking threat while seeking to secure a vital away goal.