Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi has confirmed that he will play his “strongest team” against Celtic on Thursday night.
The Italian chose to rest a few key members of his side when they travelled to Glasgow last month. Star striker – and top scorer in Italy – Ciro Immobile was one of the men left out of his starting line-up at Parkhead but he is likely to feature in the Rome return.
“I’ll play my strongest team,” Inzaghi told Football Italia. Immobile and Lulic were a little tired yesterday, but I’m confident that these two will play.
“I don’t have a clear idea yet, but I know Radu and Marusic definitely won’t make it. Cataldi is suspended.
“We’re obliged to win, we want to move up the group but it won’t be easy against a Celtic side who have a lot of quality and players who can put us in trouble at any time.
“I know many Celtic fans will arrive and that part of the Curva Nord will be closed, but we expect lots of Biancocelesti to support us anyway.”
Celtic will have to prepare for “strongest” Lazio line-up
Inzaghi’s comments will put to bed any dwindling notion that the Italians aren’t too bothered about Thursday’s match. Their precarious position in Group E means that they will be forced to win the match – with a draw doing little for their qualification hopes.
On the flip side, they do still have two home games in a row while the final matchday will see the group’s top two teams face-off in Romania.
That means that we still have to be very wary ahead of the Stadio Olimpico clash. We have a neat cushion ahead of the Serie A giants at present but that will virtually disappear with defeat on Thursday.
We will still be in a strong position to qualify regardless of the result. However, the importance of not losing can’t be underestimated.
Against a first-choice Lazio side that will be easier said than done.
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