Lazio will look to maintain their perfect start to the Serie A season when they host Ruben Amorim’s Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
Gennaro Gattuso’s Lazio have emerged as one of the early pace-setters, winning all three of their opening matches against Bologna, Genoa and Udinese. Another victory would take the Biancocelesti clear at the top of the table and create a piece of club history.
Lazio have never started a Serie A campaign with four consecutive victories, giving Gattuso the opportunity to take his side into uncharted territory.
One of the key figures behind their impressive start has been Davide Frattesi, who has scored three goals in three matches. The former Inter midfielder will now look to make his mark against the Rossoneri, while Andrea Pinamonti is also available to Gattuso.
Lazio will, however, remain without Adam Marušić, Nicolò Rovella, Danilo Cataldi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Milan travel to Rome knowing victory would take them above Lazio and, at least temporarily, to the top of Serie A. Amorim, though, has played down the importance of the standings at such an early stage of the campaign.
The Milan coach also praised Gattuso ahead of facing the former Rossoneri midfielder, highlighting the passion and fighting spirit which defined his playing career as qualities he wants to see within his own team.
Christian Pulisic is expected to feature, while Cissé is pushing for a place in the starting XI.
The occasion will have an unusual backdrop, with the Olimpico expected to be sparsely populated amid the continuing Lazio supporters’ protest against president Claudio Lotito.
For Lazio, it is an opportunity to prove their perfect opening is no early-season accident. For Milan, it represents a significant examination of Amorim’s new project and a chance to move ahead of one of their early rivals.
