Week 27: Milan – Lazio

Successive 2-1 losses against Torino and Bologna have added pressure on the team. Conceicao’s arrival at the beginning of the calendar, to replace Fonseca, brought with it cautious optimism that the players would work harder and respond on the pitch. The will had seemed to be lacking and lineup changes had sometimes been puzzling but Conceicao has not changed the picture as much as it had been hoped considering the differing and more strict style of the new coach. Not the coach’s name is already being mentioned in exit rumours with the usual and not so usual replacement options being mentioned.

With no Champions League left to play in and the Coppa Italia semifinal versus Inter only in early April the fixture list for March is light. This plus the international break might give time for Conceicao to impose his methods more as one of the issues have been that the new coach has had far too few training days available to him in January and February.

Milan sit in eighth spot and Lazio fifth to start this week 27 matchday. Any remaining chance of a top four spot will fade even more if three points are not gained. Walker returning from injury should be a boost and he will line up with Thiaw, Tomori and Theo. The latter’s disappointing season has led to many summer sale rumours and it remains to be seen if summer 2025 doesn’t require yet another ‘revolution’ or rest. One can also question the reason why Pavlovic is in and out of the line up but at least the coach has options, with Gabbia another as well. Fofana and Reijnders are likely pivots despite the later doing better further up the pitch when given the chance. Pulisic however remains one of the stars of the season and plying him closer to goal is a good choice. Musah has been deployed on the right of midfield and as right winger, not always to good effect. The right side of the team remains a questionable or even weak spot. Leao on left wing needs to show much more than he has but he remains one of the stars of the team and Serie A. Gimenez early days or Milan have promised a lot and his presence and instinct for the goal is a danger to any opposition. Felix looks to be on the bench for this match as the Portuguese has been inconsistent and the early excitement of his loan has somewhat faded.

Alessio Romagnoli and his teammates have had a solid season so far in Marco Baroni’s first season in charge. Lazio’s record at the San Siro has been very poor with only a single win in last 34 visits.

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