Following a calamitous collapse in midweek, Lazio aim to kickstart their campaign with a win on Sunday, as they host mid-table Empoli at Stadio Olimpico.
Conceding twice in the second half at Lecce, the capital city club lost their second straight Serie A fixture either side of the winter break; while their visitors took a hard-earned point home from Udine to tally seven from their last four games.
Match preview
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Though he will hardly be fearing the wheels coming off Lazio's well-oiled machine, Maurizio Sarri's concerns were deepened on Wednesday as his side succumbed to a spirited comeback at Stadio Via del Mare - hosts Lecce striking twice after the interval to overturn Ciro Immobile's first-half opener and consign the Aquile to defeat.
After putting together a defensive record to match most of the top clubs around Europe this term, five of the 13 goals Lazio have shipped in Serie A all season have come in defeats either side of the World Cup break, with the first being a 3-0 loss to Juventus.
The last time the Biancocelesti lost three in a row was back in July 2020, as Calcio resumed post-lockdown, and having dropped to fifth in the standings by taking no points from the last possible six they could now be surpassed by arch-rivals Roma if they fail to succeed on Sunday.
Thanks to Sarri's steadfast defence, Lazio have actually kept a clean sheet in four of their last five home matches in the league - as many as in the previous 16 - and he welcomes his former club to the capital, seeking to get back on track in that regard.
Having made his Serie A managerial debut with Empoli in the 2014-15 season, Sarri has gone unbeaten against the Tuscan outfit ever since leaving, with four wins and two draws.
Now facing Sunday's visitors for a 25th time in the top flight, Lazio have won 14 and drawn six, including the teams' most recent meeting: a 3-3 thriller almost exactly one year ago.
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A terrible first half of 2022 saw Empoli install former player Paolo Zanetti as head coach in the summer, and with 18 points so far they are nine points clear of the relegation zone.
After finishing up before the break by winning two of their last three matches, the Azzurri resumed competitive action in midweek, when teenager Tommaso Baldini gave them a third-minute lead away to Udinese.
Still one goal to the good heading into the final 20 minutes, Empoli saw their hosts equalise before Lazio loanee Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro was then dismissed for a second bookable offence, so hanging on for a point represented a reasonable outcome in the final analysis.
Bringing back former striker Francesco Caputo on loan from Sampdoria also proved a masterstroke, as the veteran striker played Baldini in for the opener. Now 'Ciccio' will aim to build on his tally of 42 goals from 79 appearances during a successful first spell at the club.
Sunday's fixture, though, pitches Empoli against one of Serie A's heavyweights, and before travelling down to Rome they have lost each of their last four encounters with teams placed inside the top five.
Team News
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After making a goalscoring comeback on Wednesday, captain Ciro Immobile will lead the line for Lazio again this weekend, supported by Mattia Zaccagni and either Pedro or Felipe Anderson.
The hosts' midfield maestro Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has had a hand in five goals throughout his seven Serie A meetings with Empoli - three of his own and two assists - at a rate of one involvement every 98 minutes.
Maurizio Sarri is in the fortunate position of having no first-choice players injured or suspended, but is likely to keep changes to a minimum despite the disastrous conclusion to his team's trip to Via del Mare.
While Immobile returned from injury in midweek, Empoli brought back a goalscoring hero of their own at the opening of the winter transfer window, and Francesco Caputo was immediately thrown into the Azzurri's starting XI.
The 35-year-old should continue up front, particularly as Mattia Destro may miss out once again; youngsters Martin Satriano and Tommaso Baldanzi are set to join him.
Veteran defender Lorenzo Tonelli remains sidelined by injury and Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro - currently on a season-long loan from Sunday's opponents - must serve a suspension.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi; Marin, Grassi, Bandinelli; Baldanzi; Satriano, Caputo
We say: Lazio 2-0 Empoli
One win and six goals from eight road trips this term means that Empoli offer a prime opportunity for Lazio to halt their losing streak, as they finally return to Rome. Due to some fans' racist abuse of Lecce players on Wednesday, the notorious Curva Nord will be closed at Stadio Olimpico, but the home side should still prevail.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
