We continue our series of articles with freelance journalist and co-host of the Lazio Lounge podcast Alasdair Mackenzie regarding the upcoming Celtic and Lazio Europa League matches. On this occasion, we discussed the Celtic players that Lazio will be most fearful of in the double header between the teams.
Alasdair has identified a player that Lazio will be concerned about facing, and he is one of Celtic’s star men in attack – eight time title winner James Forrest.
“Haven’t been convincing”
“I think Celtic could find some joy down the right through James Forrest, as there will be space down there behind the wing-back in Lazio’s 3-5-2 formation and the two veterans who occupy the left centre-back and left wing-back roles most often, Stefan Radu and Senad Lulic, haven’t been convincing this season” Alasdair said.
That could be an intriguing battle for the Hoops. When Forrest is in good form, Celtic usually play well. That could be the key to Celtic picking up the three points against the Italian side.
Forrest has performed well for the Hoops in Europe so far this season. He was one of the few players to come out of the 4-3 loss to Cluj with any credit. He scored for the Hoops that night.
Forrest also scored in both legs of the Europa League play-off win against AIK. The player has currently gone five games without a goal for Celtic, which is unlike him.
Capable of a scoring run
He is more than capable of putting together a run of goals though. He scored in five consecutive games earlier this season.
Forrest will be looking to start of well against Radu and Lulic. If he is able to put in a good cross early on for example, it could set the tone for the rest of the game. Celtic know that a win over Lazio would give the Hoops a great chance of making the last 32 of the Europa League. Forrest could be the man that leads the Hoops to victory.
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