Europa League | League Stage

Nov 28, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Stadio Olimpico

Laziovs.Ludogorets

Match preview

Lazio have failed to reach the knockout stages of the Europa League in any of their last three appearances, but they are on course to do so this season, having roared out of the blocks in the new-look league.

The Biancocelesti are the only team in UEFA's second-tier competition with a 100% record, having won four of their last four matches, and are now 90 minutes away from making it five wins in a row in Europe for the first time.

Last time out, Marco Baroni's men won 2-1 at home to Porto, with veteran striker Pedro continuing his purple patch by scoring a last-gasp winner to snatch maximum points after Alessio Romagnoli's opener had been cancelled out.

Previous successes against Twente, Nice and Dynamo Kyiv had already left Lazio in a strong position to claim one of the eight automatic spots in the last 16, and they now have a five-point buffer to ninth place.

This fine form has not been confined to the continental competition, as the Aquile are also excelling in the Italian top flight: Sunday's 3-0 win over 10-man Bologna made it seven wins in a row for the first time in seven years, and they sit just one point behind leaders Napoli at the top of Serie A.

Lazio have faced Ludogorets twice before, in a two-legged Europa League tie in 2014, when the Bulgarian side progressed as aggregate winners after an eventful 3-3 draw at home.

The Eagles' 1-0 away win in the first leg saw both sides miss a penalty and have a man sent off, and a repeat result would be warmly welcomed by the visitors this week.

Ludogorets, meanwhile, continue to languish in the relegation zone after a 2-1 home defeat to Athletic Bilbao earlier this month, and sit third from bottom with just one point.

After opening their campaign with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Slavia Prague, followed by a goalless draw with Viktoria Pilsen, the Razgrad club conceded two second-half goals to suffer another defeat against Anderlecht. As it stands, however, they are just three points off the playoff places, with four games left to turn things around.

While head coach Igor Jovicevic is still waiting for his team's first league win of the season, Ludogorets continue to dominate the Bulgarian top flight, remaining unbeaten this season, winning 13 of their 15 matches and opening up a seven-point lead at the top.

Only an injury-time equalizer denied them an away win over CSKA Sofia at the weekend, but their next trip will be much tougher.

Recent Performance

Lazio Europa League form:WWWW

Lazio form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Ludogorets Razgrad Europa League form:WWLDLL

Team News

As has been the case throughout the league campaign so far, coach Marco Baroni will be tinkering with his squad on Thursday night ahead of a busy few weeks in which Lazio will face Napoli twice, then Ajax and Inter Milan.

After coming off at half-time against Bologna with a calf problem, center-back Alessio Romagnoli could be rested, while captain Mattia Zaccagni picked up a knock and could also miss the Biancocelesti's midweek clash. In-form left-back Nuno Tavares is definitely out with a muscle injury.

The 37-year-old Pedro, who scored in the 2019 final, has found the net in each of his last three Europa League appearances and can become the oldest player to score four goals in a row, surpassing Spanish compatriot Aritz Aduriz (36 years, 299 days).

Meanwhile, Ludogorets will travel to the Eternal City without two of their Brazilian contingent, Rick and Caio Vidal, who are both suspended.

Bulgarian internationals Georgi Rusev and Ivalyo Chochev are in contention to join the side that drew 2-2 with CSKA Sofia on Sunday.

Midfielder Pedrinho is available after serving a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards and could start alongside Erick Marcus, who scored the Eagles' only goal so far.

Possible starting lineup

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Mandas; Marusic, Gila, Gigot, Pellegrini; Vecino, Rovella; Tchaouna, Dele-Bashiru, Pedro; Dia

Ludogorets Razgrad possible starting lineup:

Padt; Fonn Witry, Verdon, Almeida, Son; Rusev, Duarte, Pedrinho, Chochev, Marcus; Duah