Lazio Facing Midfield Crisis but Romagnoli Travels With the Squad to Lecce | OneFootball

Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri will be able to rely on his stalwart Alessio Romagnoli one last time against Lecce, but his midfield is once again pared down to the bones.

Lazio in a State of Turmoil

The Biancocelesti are in the middle of a major January overhaul, which many have described as a downsize. Taty Castellanos and Matteo Guendouzi were sold in the first week of the month, while Christos Mandas should soon follow suit by signing for Bournemouth. Moreover, Romagnoli has made it abundantly clear he wants to leave the club following a fiery confrontation with Claudio Lotito.

Alessio Romagnoli to Make One Final Lazio Appearance

The defender is expected to join Roberto Mancini’s Al-Sadd before the end of the month. But in the meantime, he will travel with the rest of the Lazio squad to Lecce, as revealed by Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà. The Aquile will take on the Giallorossi in Saturday’s Serie A match at the Via del Mare, and the former Milan captain could be in the starting lineup for the final time.

Sarri Facing Midfield Dilemma Ahead of Lecce vs Lazio Clash

While Sarri looked to have temporarily resolved his defensive selections, the middle of the park is once again causing him a major headache. According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, Nicolo Rovella has been left behind. The 23-year-old has recently made his return to action following a four-month injury ordeal, but he’s still working on regaining his full fitness.

Nicolo Rovella & Danilo Cataldi Ruled Out

To make matters even worse for the manager, Danilo Cataldi will be serving a one-match ban, leaving him without a natural Regista. Luckily for Sarri, Toma Basic managed to recover from his slight muscle issue, so he’ll be deployed in a deeper role.

Maurizio Sarri (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

The club’s new signing, Kenneth Taylor, will keep his place in the lineup, while it remains to be seen if Matias Vecino will be fit enough to start. If the Uruguayan can’t make it, Reda Belahyane will get the nod. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has recently returned from his participation in AFCON, but the Nigerian is in no condition to start.

In the attacking trident, Mattia Zaccagni will start on the left, while Petar Ratkov and Matteo Cancellieri are the favorites to maintain their spots ahead of Tijjani Noslin, Boulaye Dia and Gustav Isaksen.

Lazio Probable XI (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Vecino, Basic, Taylor; Cancellieri, Ratkov, Zaccagni.