Italian team Lazio have been one of the most underperforming teams in the Europa League this season.
Despite sitting third in the Serie A table, Simone Inzaghi’s team have struggled for results in European football’s secondary competition.
Lazio have struggled so badly that they head into their gameweek five clash with Cluj on Thursday night, having picked up just three points from their four group games so far this season.
This season’s poor results are just a continuance from last season’s competition, as the Eagles have now suffered defeat in seven of their last eight games in the Europa League. Only an improvement in form in this clash will save the home side from an early European exit.
#LazioCluj 📋Il programma della vigilia:- alle 11:00 la seduta di rifinitura- alle 13:00 mister #Inzaghi ed un tesserato interverranno in conferenza stampa dal Centro Sportivo di Formello📝 https://t.co/j8rBm03stN pic.twitter.com/uLNpSEIk5c— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) November 26, 2019
#LazioCluj 📋Il programma della vigilia:- alle 11:00 la seduta di rifinitura- alle 13:00 mister #Inzaghi ed un tesserato interverranno in conferenza stampa dal Centro Sportivo di Formello📝 https://t.co/j8rBm03stN pic.twitter.com/uLNpSEIk5c
Lazio’s European hopes rely on Cluj picking up no further points in the group, as the Romanian side are currently second place in Group E, six points clear of the team from the Italian capital. The visitors also have the advantage of holding a superior head-to-head record courtesy of a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.
One positive for the Eagles heading into this clash is their recent form, as the Italian team has recorded victories in five of their last six games, so at least go into this clash in good form. However, even a win would leave their qualification hopes in the slim category.
Cluj have enjoyed a decent Europa League campaign so far. Like Lazio, the visitors head into this clash in good form, having won four of their last five games in all competitions.
Dan Petrescu’s side has also recorded back-to-back victories over bottom of the Group Rennes, which may well be enough to see them through to the knockout stages. Their only blip came in a 2-1 loss at group leaders Celtic.
Forebet predicts that Lazio will pull off a rare Europa League victory in a low-scoring clash. Even victory may not be good enough to keep their European campaign alive.