Milan and Lazio go head-to-head in a high-profile Serie A showdown on Sunday at San Siro. It’s time to take a look at the two key battles that could determine the outcome of this fixture.
Both sides have been nothing short of exceptional so far this season as they head into proceedings as one of just five teams to have won the opening two Serie A matches. While Milan had to make it out without headline performer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lazio heavily relied on their talismanic striker Ciro Immobile to lead their comebacks against Empoli and Spezia.
With Zlatan coming back to action and Immobile looking to bounce back for some sloppy displays for Italy, Pepe Reina and Mike Maignan might have to come up big. But the goalkeepers will have to put their trust in their best defenders to make the strikers’ life as hard as possible.
Ciro Immobile vs Simon Kjaer
Ciro Immobile had a rough international window with Italy and will be aiming to rediscover his mojo at club level. The 31-year-old striker came under heavy scrutiny for lackluster performances for the Azzurri in September.
However, Immobile has shone for Lazio during Maurizio Sarri’s early career at the Stadio Olimpico. After finding the net in his side’s 3-1 comeback win over promoted Empoli on the opening weekend, the ex-Pescara man notched up a first-half hat-trick against Spezia last time out.
Immobile has been a thorn in Milan’s side. He has scored seven goals in 13 meetings with the Rossoneri in Serie, six of which came in eight matches in Lazio’s shirt, including his first top-flight hat-trick for the Biancocelesti in September 2017.
It will be up to Simon Kjaer to tussle with Immobile following another eye-catching international break. The Denmark captain helped his national team keep a clean sheet in both of his September international appearances, even adding one goal to the tally.
Kjaer has grown vital to Milan’s set-up under Stefano Pioli and has been part of the improving Rossoneri backline that has kept six clean sheets in the last seven Serie A fixtures. The 32-year-old’s leadership skills, anticipation, and aerial strength have been off the charts at San Siro, making him invaluable to Pioli.
It will be exciting to see whether Kjaer can hold the rampant Immobile at bay.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Francesco Acerbi
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to the fold after a long-term injury and could me his 2021/22 Serie A debut on Sunday. The towering Swede’s scoring prowess and intimidating presence need no introduction. It’s enough to take a look at Milan’s showings before and after his return to understand the extent of his capabilities.
Ibrahimovic bagged 15 goals in 19 Serie A outings last season en route to leading Milan to their first top-four finish since 2012/13. At the age of 39, the ex-Inter and Juventus marksman is still one of the fiercest strikers in the world, let alone Serie A. Ibra has been ruthless against Lazio in the past, tallying seven goals and two assists in 13 top-flight encounters against this opposition.
Since coming back to Serie A in winter 2020, Ibrahimovic has faced Lazio just once. However, the Biancocelesti faithful won’t forget that match soon, as the Swedish superstar got on the scoresheet in Milan’s comprehensive 3-0 triumph in the capital. Francesco Acerbi was on the field that day, but there was not much he could do to stop the inevitable.
However, the ex-Rossoneri defender has developed into one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in Serie A. He will be keen to live up to his reputation this time around and prove he is no pushover against one of the most prolific forwards in the 21st century.