Celtic are set to receive a couple of Europa League boosts from Lazio ahead of Thursday night.
The pair meet at Celtic Park for matchday three of the competition. A victory for the Hoops would put them in prime position in the group with seven points. A defeat, meanwhile, would throw the group wide open once again.
It’s a huge match, and Celtic will be keen to take any advantage they can ahead of the contest. Fortunately for them, it looks set to be that they’re going to get a couple.
According to the Scottish Sun, Inzaghi is set to rest weekend scorer Joaquin Correa this week. Correa has only scored two goals in nine appearances, but he plays a key part in Lazio’s attacking play.
In addition to that, Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto looks unlikely to make the trip thanks to a muscle strain. He looked to be one of the main selections for Inzaghi this week. Alberto has played a key role with six assists this season, and Lazio look set to be without his influence.
Celtic could receive some unlikely boosts, but we can’t be carried away
The Scottish Sun also believes that Inzaghi is set to rotate his squad for Parkhead. Lazio made seven changes from the squad who beat Rennes to the side who drew with Bologna in Serie A just days later.
However, it’s clear with their victory over the Ligue 1 side that Lazio have quality rippling throughout their team. In Correa’s place, it looks likely that Felipe Caicedo will be his replacement. He’s only netted one in seven outings this term, but Celtic will need to watch for his movement if he starts.
The Hoops won’t be getting too carried away despite the prospective boosts. It never turns out to be an easy game regardless of whether the opposition rest key players.
However there’s no denying that Lazio will be losing a bit of quality if they miss Correa and Alberto respectively. Without the duo, you’re taking nine goals this season out of that Lazio side when you include goals and assists.
Celtic still have some injury concerns ourselves heading into the contest. Jozo Simunovic is definitely out, whilst question marks can still be raised over both Mikey Johnston and Leigh Griffiths respectively.
But when you look at our best XI, you can bet Neil Lennon won’t be resting anyone in the same the way Lazio may decide to.
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