Lazio ‘to start’ two new signings against Mantova in Coppa Italia opener | OneFootball

Lazio host Mantova on Sunday in the Coppa Italia opener, their first competitive match of the season. The Stadio Olimpico is set to be virtually empty as organised supporter groups continue a season-long boycott of home games. It will also mark Gennaro Gattuso’s official debut.

La Lazio Siamo Noi reports that Gattuso will start with Christos Mandas in goal, Oliver Provstgaard and Danilho Doekhi at centre-back, and Alfonso Pedraza at left-back, with Adam Marusic completing the defence. Doekhi, a free signing, and Pedraza would both be making their bows.

In midfield, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is set to start alongside Nicolo Rovella and Kenneth Taylor, the Nigerian given a chance to impress before Davide Frattesi comes in over the coming weeks.

Up front, Boulaye Dia is preferred to Petar Ratkov to lead the line, with captain Mattia Zaccagni and Tijjani Noslin out wide. Noslin appears to have edged Matteo Cancellieri.

Lazio will be without Patric and Samuel Gigot, who have struggled with injuries since the start of pre-season. Danilo Cataldi and Gustav Isaksen both underwent groin surgery in recent months and will return to training in the coming weeks. Nuno Tavares is still sidelined by a muscle problem, and Gabriele Artistico has a minor calf issue.

Source: The Laziali

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