The Coppa Italia semi-final return leg sees Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio take on Raffaele Palladino’s Atalanta at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, with kick-off at 21:00. After the 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Olimpico, the Biancocelesti are targeting the final to salvage a season the Tuscan coach has labelled “year zero”.
Sarri’s statements
Maurizio Sarri, in his press conference at Formello, tore down the “season-saving match” label, stressing that even a Coppa Italia victory would not change the judgement on a transitional campaign: “It’s a competition of only five matches, not indicative of the season; this remains a year zero regardless”. He did, however, confess a personal desire to reach the final, following penalty shoot-out heartbreaks with Juventus and Chelsea: “I’d like to have a third chance to play for the trophy”.
Context and First Leg
The first leg ended 2-2 in a half-empty Olimpico due to fan protests against the Lazio ownership. Sarri evoked pride in eliminating the outgoing finalists and insisted on the required patience: “We said it from the start, we need time; next season must be ‘year one’”. The team has shown inconsistency, but recent successes like the one at Napoli instil optimism.
Tactics and Opponent
Against an Atalanta side similar to Napoli in intensity, Sarri will focus on high possession and attention on the flanks: “They excel in wing-to-wing passes, we must keep them away from our box”. He compared the Dea to a European powerhouse still in the Champions League, but invoked the spirit of Napoli to repeat the exploit. Lazio must build on recent regularity, interrupted by 52 injuries and the absence of the crowd.
Injuries and Line-up
Doubts remain over Zaccagni, Cataldi, Basic, Dele-Bashiru, Gila, Maldini and Marusic, all clinically fit but not at their best: “I can choose 3-4 of them, otherwise I burn the slots”. The base is confirmed from the Napoli match, with Marusic possibly replacing Lazzari if he passes the morning fitness test in Bergamo; Maldini and Basic are not available for 90 minutes. The fans cheered the team at Formello and at the airport, a positive sign after months of boycotting.
Outlook
Sarri sees the squad as improvable for high ambitions: “It’s not uncompetitive, but it needs to be strengthened”. Lazio, with no Champions League prospect in Serie A, have in this match their last concrete chance for a trophy in 2025/26.
Organised Support
The ultras groups of the Curva Nord, after months of boycotting support at the Olimpico and at training sessions at the Fersini centre in Formello, have decided not to attend even the pre-match warm-up. The protest against the Lotito management continues, but for this crucial semi-final the Biancocelesti fans will gather at Tor di Quinto in front of a giant screen to watch Atalanta-Lazio together, creating an alternative Olimpico atmosphere with thousands of supporters.
Referee and Past Meetings
The return leg semi-final will be officiated by Andrea Colombo from Como, assisted by Imperiale and Costanzo, with Zufferli as fourth official; Abisso on VAR and Maresca as AVAR. In the 5 previous Serie A matches involving Lazio, a neutral record: 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, with 17 yellow cards and 1 red for the Biancocelesti, an average of 4.6 bookings per match; the last game in 2025 ended 1-1 against Bologna. Colombo, 40, is making his debut in such a decisive match for Lazio, promising balanced officiating in a high-tension setting.
