Lazio Vs Genoa

After a record-breaking start to their continental campaign, Lazio will shift their focus to Serie A duties this weekend, hosting Genoa at Stadio Olimpico.

Despite suffering a recent loss against Juventus in the league, the Biancocelesti have shown strong form overall, while their struggling visitors are still seeking their first victory of August.

Lazio kicked off their Europa League campaign with impressive wins against Dynamo Kyiv and Nice, maintaining their lead in the group phase with a 2-0 triumph over FC Twente on Thursday night. The match featured a crucial mistake from the Dutch side's goalkeeper, who was sent off just 11 minutes in, paving the way for goals from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen to secure a third consecutive victory.

Prior to last week’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus—made worse by Alessio Romagnoli’s red card that left them with just 10 men for most of the game—Lazio had enjoyed a perfect run, collecting maximum points from four consecutive matches across all competitions, marking their best start of the year.

Dating back to the previous season, only Juventus has a better home record than Lazio in Serie A, and the Biancocelesti will head into Sunday’s match with a nine-game unbeaten streak at home, having won seven of those matches; their last home defeat came in March.

However, they are not without flaws, having conceded at least one goal in their last 10 domestic outings—a streak that represents the longest of its kind for the capital club since 2010.

Marco Baroni will be keen to get off to a flying start this weekend, as Lazio becomes only the second team this season to start their first eight Serie A games without a clean sheet.

Genoa, on the other hand, displayed resilience by coming back from a two-goal deficit against Bologna in the last 20 minutes at Marassi, thanks to a late double from Andrea Pinamonti that sparked the home crowd's enthusiasm.

Despite this comeback, coach Alberto Gilardino’s job security remains in question, as he grapples with his team’s defensive woes. This is only the third time in the last 20 years that Genoa has conceded 17 or more goals by this stage of the Serie A season.

Consequently, Genoa has lost three of their last four away games, a stark contrast to their previous run of nine unbeaten matches out of ten. This dismal form makes it unlikely they will secure a win at Stadio Olimpico.

Last season, Lazio and Genoa split their Serie A encounters, each winning 1-0 at the other's ground. However, Lazio turned the tables in a Coppa Italia match at home, asserting their dominance.

After eight matches, the Grifone find themselves in the relegation zone and will head to Rome without a win in over two months.

Despite a recent 5-1 defeat to Atalanta BC, marking their third consecutive league loss and a disappointing exit from the Coppa Italia against local rivals Sampdoria, Genoa has shown some grit, managing to salvage a point last weekend.

Tijjani Noslin, who missed the victory against Twente due to a three-match UEFA suspension, and Matteo Guendouzi, who took a week off for a minor foot injury, could be available for selection on Sunday.

However, with Alessio Romagnoli serving his suspension, Patric, Samuel Gigot, and Mario Gila will vie for a spot in Lazio’s central defense.

Boulaye Dia, who has netted two goals in his first three Serie A home appearances for the Biancocelesti, might take a deeper role just behind the lone striker, as Taty Castellanos is expected to return to lead the attack in a four-man front.