Lazio hold a 1-0 lead over CFR Cluj ahead of the second leg of their Europa Conference League knockout clash, with the two sides set to renew acquaintances in Romania on Thursday night.
Despite playing the majority of the first leg with 10 men, Lazio managed to notch a narrow advantage thanks to a sublime volley from star striker Ciro Immobile.
Match preview
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When Lazio defender Patric received a straight red card within 15 minutes of the first leg, Cluj looked destined to dominate proceedings, but the visitors failed to make the most of their one-man advantage.
In fact, Cluj managed to register a solitary shot on target at the Stadio Olimpico, and they also finished the game with just 39% possession after failing to gain a foothold in the contest.
Last week's defeat extended Cluj's losing streak to three matches in all competitions, with back-to-back domestic failures preceding the first-leg loss.
However, Dan Petrescu's men returned to winning ways with a dominant 3-1 victory over FC Arges Pitesi on Sunday, keeping them second in the Romanian top flight – two points shy of table-topping FCV Farul Constanta.
It goes without saying that Cluj will need to put in a big performance in order to overturn the first-leg deficit, but having lost two of their last three home games, the White and Burgundies are not in great form right now.
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On the flip side, Lazio will be confident of completing the job in Romania after producing a spirited display to recover from the early red card and win the first leg.
After weathering the storm following Patric's dismissal, the Eagles grew into the game and ended up dominating the contest, racking up 13 shots while enjoying the lion's share of the ball.
As is often the case, Ciro Immobile scored the decisive goal at the Stadio Olimpico, dishing up a superb volley from Felipe Anderson's quick free kick in first-half stoppage time.
Three days later, Immobile extended his scoring streak with a brace in Lazio's 2-0 win against Salernitana, taking his tally for the season to 11 goals in 24 games following a number of short injury setbacks.
Not only have Maurizio Sarri's men won each of their last two matches, but they have also won five of their previous nine in all competitions, so they will fancy their chances of notching another victory over Cluj.
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Team News
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Having taken his tally for the season to six goals and 11 assists in last weekend's win against Arges Pitesi, veteran winger Ciprian Deac looks set to play a key role in Cluj's forward line on Thursday.
Although Rangelo Janga and Cephas Malele started in attack for Cluj at the weekend, Daniel Birligea and Emmanuel Yeboah are expected to return to the XI having started the first leg.
As for Lazio, they will have to make do without Patric on Thursday, as the Spanish defender is suspended following his red card in the first leg.
Mario Gila is likely to replace Patric in the starting XI, as the Eagles are still without the injured defensive duo of Alessio Romagnoli and Stefan Radu.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was an unused substitute in Lazio's victory over Salernitana last time out, so the influential midfielder is expected to return to the starting lineup this week.
Having played in the first leg, Luis Maximiano should start between the sticks for the visitors, with Ivan Provedel dropping to the bench following his clean sheet at the weekend.
CFR Cluj possible starting lineup:
Scuffet; Manea, Matias, Burca, Camora; Deac, Adjei-Boateng, Muhar, Krasniqi; Yeboah, Birilgea
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Maximiano; Lazzari, Casale, Gila, Hysaj; Milinkovic-Savis, Antonio, Vecino; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
We say: CFR Cluj 0-2 Lazio
With Immobile fit and firing once again, Lazio should book their place in the next round with a comfortable victory over Cluj, whose struggles on home soil look set to continue.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Morris
