Lazio had an impressive run in the European competition. They managed to defeat strong teams like Ajax, Porto, and Real Sociedad during the course of the inaugural league phase. With a total of 19 points, they topped the league-phase table, thereby securing direct entry to the competition's last 16.

In the initial part of their campaign, the Rome - based club won six out of their first seven games. Their only setback in that stretch was a loss in a meaningless match against Braga. This outstanding performance has put them on a path to potentially exceed their best-ever continental showing. In the 1999 - 2000 Champions League, they achieved eight wins, and now they seem well - positioned to go beyond that.

The ultimate goal for Lazio is to claim their first European trophy since the 1999 UEFA Super Cup. This Super Cup victory came shortly after they triumphed in the Cup Winners' Cup just a few months earlier. Given their current form and achievements, they are regarded as one of the frontrunners in this year's competition.

Nevertheless, the Biancocelesti (Lazio's nickname) have had a rather poor record in their knockout matches in Europe. In their last 13 such encounters, they have only managed to win two, while suffering nine defeats. And with three more rounds to navigate before the final in Bilbao, they face a challenging task.

Adding to their woes, they were recently ousted from the Coppa Italia. In a lackluster performance, they lost 2 - 0 to Serie A leaders Inter Milan last week. This defeat might pose some psychological obstacles that they need to overcome if they are to progress further in the European competition.

Nonetheless, Marco Baroni's men will certainly be pepped up for the task by events on Sunday, when Pedro's 98th-minute penalty sent faltering top-four rivals AC Milan to a 2-1 defeat at San Siro.

While Milan now have a mountain to climb, Lazio are still locked in a battle with Bologna, Juventus, Fiorentina and perhaps even arch-rivals Roma to claim Champions League qualification.

Either side of hosting Udinese this weekend, Baroni's boys must take on Viktoria Plzen twice: with three wins from their last four European away games - as many as in the previous 25 - they might expect to take a lead into next week's second leg.

After reaching the Conference League quarter-finals last season, Plzen have taken the scenic route to the last 16 of UEFA's second-tier tournament one year later.

Miroslav Koubek's side finished outside of the top eight after losing two of their last three league-phase fixtures, but they subsequently came through the knockout playoffs.

Overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit, star man Pavel Sulc was on target in a 3-0 second-leg win over Ferencvaros, setting up a high-profile tie that will conclude at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

First, Viktoria welcome Lazio to Pilsen, having lost just one of 12 previous home matches in the Europa League and won no fewer than 10.

Sitting second in the Czech top flight, they have also won three of their last four on the domestic front, including a 4-1 cup win over Zlin.

However, history is not exactly on their side: Plzen have prevailed in just one of their last eight contests against Italian opposition - a home win over Lazio's city rivals Roma in the 2018 Champions League.

Marco Baroni is still missing injured top scorer Taty Castellanos due to injury, so either Loum Tchaouna or Tijjani Noslin should lead Lazio's attack.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Elseid Hysaj are also unavailable, but Baroni expects full-back Adam Marusic to overcome a bruised knee.

Europa League specialist Pedro will hope his late goal against Milan results in promotion to the starting XI, and cup goalkeeper Christos Mandas is set to replace Ivan Provedel between the posts.

Meanwhile, Martin Jedlicka of Viktoria Plzen has been busy to this point of the competition, making the third-most saves.

Centre-back Sampson Dweh has made the most ball recoveries of any player in this season's Europa League, but he is now one of three Plzen defenders one booking away from suspension.

Featuring up front, Pavel Sulc and veteran striker Matej Vydra both have three goals and three assists to their name so far.

Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:

Jedlicka; Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka; Havel, Cerv, Kalvach, Cadu; Sulc; Vydra, Durosimni

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Mandas; Lazzari, Gila, Patric, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Belahyane; Isaksen, Pedro, Zaccagni; Noslin