Gattuso Prepares Lazio Starting Eleven for Final Pre-Season Test Against Frosinone
Lazio faces Frosinone on Sunday as head coach Gennaro Gattuso tests his preferred lineup before official competitions begin. The match serves as the final evaluation ahead of upcoming Coppa Italia and Serie A fixtures.
Key takeaways
- Gennaro Gattuso will use the Frosinone friendly to finalize his tactical approach before the Coppa Italia.
- Lazio is integrating several new defensive starters, including Doekhi and Provstgaard, following key departures.
- Organized Lazio fan groups continue to boycott home games but are traveling in high numbers for away fixtures.
What Happened
Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso intends to utilize Sunday's friendly against Frosinone to field his strongest available starting lineup. This match at the Stadio Benito Stirpe marks the final pre-season fixture before Lazio begins competitive play. The club enters this game following five consecutive victories against their Primavera squad and lower-division opponents. Frosinone, recently promoted to Serie A, represents the first top-flight competition for Lazio this summer.
Background
The tactical selection for the 2026-27 season reflects significant changes in the Lazio squad. Christos Mandas has moved into the starting goalkeeper role following the departure of Ivan Provedel to Inter Milan. The defensive unit features new arrivals, including Danilho Doekhi and Oliver Provstgaard, as questions remain regarding Alessio Romagnoli’s status at the club. In midfield, Nicolo Rovella returns to the starting formation after an injury-affected previous season, joined by Kenneth Taylor and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Key Facts
- The match is scheduled for Sunday at 20:45 CET at the Stadio Benito Stirpe.
- Lazio faces Mantova in the Coppa Italia next weekend, followed by their Serie A opener against Bologna on August 24.
- More than 2,500 Lazio supporters are expected to attend the away fixture, despite an ongoing boycott of home matches by organized fan groups protesting club president Claudio Lotito.
- Squad availability is impacted by the recovery of right-winger Gustav Isaksen following surgery.
- Potential roster changes include the possible sale of Petar Ratkov to Dynamo Moscow for a reported €18 million.
What Happens Next
Gattuso is expected to choose between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 formation, depending on the positioning of Dele-Bashiru. The performance of the forward line—likely comprising Mattia Zaccagni, Tijjani Noslin, and Boulaye Dia—will be under observation as the club continues to monitor the transfer market for additional attacking options following failed attempts to sign Franjo Ivanovic.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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