By: Isak Möller

It’s a big one for AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico, taking on Lazio and not Roma, as they could reduce the gap with Inter to just five points.

The Derby della Madonnina win has definitely improved the mood at Milanello, not to mention among the fans, after a few questionable appearances and results. This was fueled by Inter’s draw against Atalanta on Saturday, giving the Rossoneri another chance to close in.

During his press conference, Massimiliano Allegri made sure to highlight the importance of the game, while also clarifying that it’s not necessarily about winning for the Scudetto race, but rather to ensure that they always do the best they can.

Game date: Sunday, March 15
Kick-off time: 20:45 (CET)
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Referee: Marco Guida (VAR: Daniele Chiffi)

Team news

Matteo Gabbia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are still on the sidelines due to surgery, while Adrien Rabiot is suspended for this one. The Frenchman picked up a yellow card against Inter and since he was only one away from suspension, this is the game that he will miss.

Santiago Gimenez returned to training earlier this week and Allegri even confirmed during the presser that he’s in good condition, both physically and mentally. However, as his return to training was so recent, it has been decided not to call him up for tomorrow.

That’s it as far as the absences go, though, meaning Allegri has a good squad at his disposal all things considered. Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic will continue to guard Mike Maignan’s goal, which is only right considering the defensive success lately.

On the flanks, Alexis Saelemaekers will keep his spot after a decent display in the derby, while Pervis Estupinan will also get the chance again. Scoring the winner in a derby definitely should give you continued trust, so it’s nice to see Allegri opting for that path here.

The biggest talking point has been the midfield and who will replace Rabiot. Samuele Ricci appeared to be an early favourite for the spot, having enjoyed more of Allegri’s trust, but Ardon Jashari has overtaken the Italian in the race.

It would certainly be a huge opportunity for the Swiss international to show what he can do, having impressed here and there earlier in the season. Of course, he will team up with the midfield certainties Youssouf Fofana and Luka Modric.

Up front, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic will keep their spots as Allegri is hoping that both can find the back of the net as soon as possible. Especially the American, who is yet to score in 2026 but did show that his physical condition is no longer an issue with a hard-working derby display.

Off the bench, Allegri will have options such as Zachary Athekame and Davide Bartesaghi for the defence, while one of Niclas Füllkrug and Christopher Nkunku should definitely get the opportunity in the second half.

Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Jashari, Estupinan; Pulisic, Leao.

Predicted bench: Terracciano, Pittarella, Athekame, Odogu, Bartesaghi, Ricci, Nkunku, Füllkrug.

Injuries & suspensions: Gabbia, Gimenez (recovered but not called up), Loftus-Cheek, Rabiot.

The opponents

By Lazio’s standards, it has been a very poor seaosn so far. They are 10th in the league standings after picking up just 13 points in 2026 (out of a possible 33) and European competitions are well out of reach already, which says a lot.

However, even if the European route is no longer viable through the league, the Biancocelesti are still in the Coppa Italia. The first semi-final against Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico ended 2-2, so even though it will be difficult in Bergamo, a Europa League spot remains on the table.

The bigger question, though, is why Lazio have done so poorly this season. Many expected more when Sarri’s return was announced in the summer, but any ambition was effectively blocked by the total transfer ban put on the club.

Lazio were subsequently only able to redeem the players they had on loan with options/obligations to buy, such as Nicolo Rovella, Nuno Tavares and Luca Pellegrini. While that was important, not being able to make any real reinforcements really makes it difficult to compete.

Fortunately for the president Claudio Lotito, the ban was lifted ahead of the January transfer window and with no restrictions added either, which was a bit surprising as a lot of sources suggested it would be a zero-sum game (to buy a player for x amount, you need to sell for x amount as well).

Still, star striker Taty Castellanos and the important midfielder Matteo Guendouzi were both sold, for €29m and €28m respectively. Kenneth Taylor (midfielder, Ajax) and Petar Ratkovc (striker, Salzburg) were brought in as the main replacements, while Daniel Maldini was also secured on loan.

The goalkeeper Edoardo Motta was also brought in from Reggiana, which turned out to be very important as Ivan Provedel is currently out injured. The same can be said for Alessio Romagnoli (even if they will try until the end to recover him) and Danilo Cataldi, which is quite a blow for Sarri as all three are usually starters.

Interestingly, it looks like the former Milan man and aforementioned Maldini will start as a false No.9, teaming up with Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni in attack. Patric in midfield will also be one to keep an eye on, seeing as he’s a defender.

Predicted Lazio XI (3-5-2): Motta; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Patric, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Zaccagni.

Predicted bench: Furlanetto, Giacomone, Hysaj, Lazzari, Pellegrini, Belahyane, Basic, Przyborek, Pedro, Noslin, Cancellieri, Dia, Ratkov.

Injuries & suspensions: Cataldi, Gigot, Provedel, Romagnoli, Rovella.

Head to head

Tomorrow’s clash will be the 195th encounter between Milan and Lazio, with the Rossoneri hoping to build on their advantage. Indeed, they have 87 wins while the Biancocelesti have only mustered up 42, with the remaining 65 games ending in draws.

In recent history, however, this fixture has been very even in every sense of the word. In the last five games, Milan have won two, drawn one, and lost one. If you limit the data to Stadio Olimpico clashes, there has never been the same outcome in consecutive games since the 2019-20 season.

The most recent encounter was in the Coppa Italia back in December, and in that one a late goal from Mattia Zaccagni was enough for Lazio. In the reverse fixture in the league, on the other hand, it was Milan that prevailed by the odd goal thanks to Rafael Leao’s tap-in.

SempreMilancom

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