A difficult match to read for anyone who follows the Biancocelesti is the one we are about to preview for the 34th matchday: Lazio Udinese, arriving four days after the emotional Coppa Italia semi-final, overcome thanks to the monstrous performance of the new Biancoceleste goalkeeper Edo Motta.
But it’s the matchday itself that can provide further motivation, especially after Bologna crumbled at home against Roma, exposing their flank to Sarri’s side in the race for eighth place in the table (Bologna are on 48 points, Lazio follow on 47).
Massive rotation or continue with the same XI?
It’s a legitimate question, but once again Sarri seems ready to break his own mould (or at least those beliefs that paint him as someone who rarely changes) and looks set to field the 34th different line-up, and not only due to injuries.
The many correspondents who cover Lazio seem very confident about this: Lazio are in full management mode and will change many of the heroes of the Coppa exploit, first and foremost Mario Gila, who came out battered from Bergamo and won’t even be called up.
The only certainty for Monday’s line-up is the hero of Bergamo, Edo Motta, currently irreplaceable, who will retake his place between the Biancoceleste posts.
Heavy rotation in defence, however, where the Danish centre-back Provstgaard will start alongside Romagnoli, as well as full-backs Lazzari and Pellegrini, who will replace Marusic and, above all, Tavares, who needs managing after the 220 minutes played during the week.
In midfield, the doubt in the middle of the park needs resolving: we’re putting a chip on Danilo Cataldi; in front of him Taylor will likely get his first break, as he has never stopped, so the starters will be Basic and Dele-Bashiru, tasked with breaking down the Udinese defence while at the same time containing the physicality of Runjaic’s side.
In attack, Noslin, used intensively in the latter part of the season, will certainly rest to make way for either Maldini (our favourite) or Dia. On the flanks, the only certain starter is Zaccagni, who truly needs to rediscover rhythm and clarity in a season that has practically always been below par and difficult.
On the other flank, the selection battle is open: Isaksen, the penalty aside, didn’t shine even in Bergamo, putting in a performance clearly struggling compared to the period before failing to qualify for the World Cup, so Cancellieri remains the favourite for the starting spot.
Kosta Runjaic’s Udinese: a team that’s hard to read and hard to face
Unfortunately for us, Udinese away from home are the classic opponent that makes Lazio’s offensive management difficult in 2026.
Runjaic’s football is tough, built on a very physical 3-4-2-1, especially in defence, relying heavily on the wing-backs and on quick transitions, with few touches always seeking depth.
The key to the match will be unlocking it by not making mistakes in the passing game: Udinese have often shown they suffer clean, precise possession. If, on the other hand, we fail to move the ball around, perhaps holding onto it too long in advanced areas, they can become truly dangerous in transition, especially with Atta and Zaniolo, who raise the quality in the attacking phase, particularly in the final 20 metres.
The “away” factor is important for them; they’re a team that knows how to defend, and they pick up almost half their points away from Udine. Lazio must maintain concentration and try to take the lead; Udinese rarely recover matches after conceding, also because one of their weak points is precisely the defence when the centre of gravity moves higher.
Concentration and clean passing will be needed, with purposeful quick vertical balls, and a Maldini capable of threading through the two wide players – all ingredients that are not easy to find after a match with such enormous emotional expenditure as the one in Bergamo.
Probable Udinese line-up (3-4-2-1): Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet; Ehizibue, Piotrowski, Karlstrom, Kamara; Atta, Ekkelenkamp; Zaniolo.
The empty Olimpico factor
Another negative factor for the team is, as always, the empty stadium, which, in our view, will be a little less empty in the Tevere stand, especially by virtue of the Coppa victory, but which will nevertheless lack the support of the Nord, always so important for Lazio.
Support that will return for the Coppa final, a match that can completely rewrite the outcome of a troubled and hard-to-digest season for many Biancocelesti hearts.
All that’s left is to wish you and ourselves a good match!
