At 4:00 AM China Time on November 8, the fourth round of the UEFA Europa League group stage will see Lazio host Porto at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
In the first three rounds of the Europa League, Lazio has achieved three consecutive victories, defeating Dynamo Kyiv, Nice, and Twente, accumulating 9 points and 8 goal difference, topping the group standings. Porto, on the other hand, lost to Bodø/Glimt, drew with Manchester United, and defeated Hoffenheim, earning 4 points and currently ranking 16th.
In terms of form, Lazio has won three consecutive Serie A matches, making it four consecutive wins including European competitions, scoring 12 goals in these four matches, demonstrating a strong offensive performance. At home, Lazio is one of the best “home dragons” in Europe this season, winning 6 out of 7 home games (6 in Serie A, 1 in Europa League) and scoring 18 goals, with impressive results.
Before the match, Lazio’s head coach Maurizio Sarri pointed out that due to a grueling schedule of seven matches in 21 days, Lazio may make some rotations. He stated, “This match is a good opportunity to test the depth of our squad. Some players are very tired, and I will try to select players who have more energy and vigor.” Italian media reports suggest that Lazio will field a mix of starters and reserves, which could be a significant variable in the game.
Porto is also in excellent form, having won six consecutive matches across all competitions. This season, Porto is known for its solid defense, keeping clean sheets in 7 out of 10 Portuguese Liga matches and also against Hoffenheim in the Europa League. In their last five matches, Porto has kept clean sheets in every game, showcasing a stellar defensive performance.
In head-to-head records, Lazio and Porto have met four times historically. In the 2002-03 UEFA Europa League quarterfinals, Porto eliminated Lazio with a 4-1 home win and a 0-0 away draw. In the 2021-22 knockout stage, Porto won 2-1 at home and drew 2-2 away. According to UEFA statistics, Lazio has faced Portuguese teams 14 times in official European competition, with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses. Porto has faced Italian teams 40 times in official European competition, with a record of 12 wins, 12 draws, and 16 losses.
In terms of team availability, Lazio will be without winger Nylund, who is suspended due to a red card. According to Italian media predictions, the team will rotate players in positions such as winger, full-back, center-back, and goalkeeper. For Porto, captain center-back Marcano (ligament), Brazilian left-back Wendell (muscle), and Serbian midfielder Grujic (foot) are injured and will miss the game. There are also doubts over the fitness of players like Zaidu.
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