It may be a familiar opponent tonight when Celtic come up against Serie A heavyweights Lazio, but there could be a new threat in their starting XI.
When Celtic over overcame Simone Inzaghi’s side a fortnight ago, Luis Alberto was rested. Instead, Inzaghi went with a front two of Felipe Caicedo and Joaquin Correa.
Alberto, meanwhile, wasn’t even in the matchday squad. But if you think that’s because he wasn’t good enough to get into the team, think again.
The attacking-midfielder has arguably been Lazio’s most productive player behind Ciro Immobile this season. He’s currently top of the assist table in Serie A by two goals. He has seven assists to his name – more than the likes of Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon respectively (ESPN). His latest was at AC Milan last weekend.
And his record isn’t just impressive in Serie A terms. He sits just second behind Kevin De Bruyne when it comes to assist-makers in the top five European leagues (WhoScored)
Celtic must be wary of the service to Immobile
Five of Alberto’s assists have come at the Stadio Olimpico. With Celtic set to visit tonight, Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer will have to be extra careful if they start at the back.
It also increases the importance that Scott Brown will have on tonight’s game. One of his key roles should be to shut down space for Alberto to operate in. If we give him any, he’s likely to cut us open. The proof is in the stats.
Tonight is a night where Celtic can’t go doing anything wrong. Lazio are a class outfit, and their recent results in Serie A prove that. Since losing to us, they’ve won three games on the bounce. Perhaps even more ominously, Alberto has managed three assists in their last two games alone.
It’s the hardest game we’ll face in our Europa League group. And, if truth be told, Alberto is only one of a number of heavy threats they have at their disposal.
Of course, Celtic actually have players with more assists than Alberto. Odsonne Edouard has managed an incredible 11 this season (Transfermarkt), whilst James Forrest has gone one better with 12 (Transfermarkt).
Hopefully they get into the game tonight and show what they’re all about. But with Alberto’s record, we need to be smart at both ends of the pitch.
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