Overview
Pisa have yet to win this season. However, fans are gradually realizing that coach Alberto Gilardino's team is getting closer than ever to the first 3 points.
In round 8 of Serie A at San Siro - where Gilardino spent 3 seasons playing for AC Milan - his team almost created a big surprise. Pisa played resiliently after Rafael Leao opened the scoring for the Rossoneri in the 7th minute.
Juan Cuadrado and M'Bala Nzola scored in the 60th and 86th minutes, respectively, helping the Tuscany representative lead 2-1. It seemed that the historic victory was within reach, but Zachary Athekame scored the equalizer 2-2 in the extra time, causing Pisa to fall to the bottom 3 teams after 8 rounds.
Currently in second place from bottom up, Pisa aims to overcome the disappointment of hosting Lazio in round 9. A victory would see them leave the danger zone and rise to 15th place, with Parma, Lecce and Hellas Verona just three, two and one points above them, respectively.
Meanwhile, Lazio certainly do not want to become Gilardino's first "victim", as Pisa is one of four teams in Serie A that have yet to win since the start of the season.
Maurizio Sarri's side enter this round in mid-table Serie A, having won 11 points from eight games (W3 D2 L3). However, the gap between them and the group participating in the European Cup is not too big. Lazio are only 2 points behind Como - the 6th-placed team, 3 points behind Bologna and 4 points behind Inter Milan.
The current situation brings hope to Biancocelesti, as they have won 2 of their last 4 matches in Serie A, showing signs of revival after a difficult start.
Financial limitations due to a transfer ban and consecutive injuries to many key players have caused Sarri many obstacles in shaping his playing style, but Lazio are gradually regaining stability.
Their most recent victory was a 1-0 defeat to Juventus at Olimpico, in the final match that Igor Tudor led the "Old Diem" team.
Now, with the goal of winning 2 consecutive Serie A victories for the first time this season, Aquilotti will aim to extend his unbeaten streak to 4.
Personnel situation
Pisa have not recorded any more injuries after the draw with Milan, but Alberto Gilardino will still be without the services of Tomas Esteves, Mateus Lusuardi and Calvin Stengs in the upcoming match.
M'Bala Nzola's goal against Milan was his second goal of the season, accounting for nearly half of the team's total five goals so far. The Angola striker will certainly be Pisa's biggest hope in their efforts to penetrate the team's defense led by Maurizio Sarri.
On the other hand, Lazio are facing a personnel crisis when a series of key players are injured.
Names such as Valentin Castellanos, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Matteo Cancellieri, Samuel Gigot, Nicolo Rovella and Nuno Tavares are likely to be absent from the away trip to Arena Garibaldi.
With Cancellieri and Castellanos both having difficulty participating, Lazio's scoring responsibility will continue to be on Mattia Zaccagni's shoulders.
The Italian striker is aiming to become a decisive factor in helping Biancocelesti extend his unbeaten streak and maintain a strong comeback in Serie A.
Expected lineup:
Pisa: Semper, Canestrelli, Albiol, Caracciolo, Toure, Marin, Aebischer, Akinsanmiro, Bonfanti, Nzola, Meister.
Lazio: Provedel, Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic, Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic, Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni.
The match between Pisa and Lazio takes place at 2:45 am on October 31 (Vietnam time).
