[Europa Conference League] AZ Alkmaar Vs Lazio Preview

AZ Alkmaar hosts Lazio in front of their fans in the Europa Conference League round of 16 second leg.

AZ Alkmaar is the favorite to reach the Europa League quarter-finals when they welcome Lazio at the AFAS Stadium.

Maurizio Sarri's side faces a daunting task after losing 2-1 in their first leg in Rome.

AZ's impressive comeback win at the Stadio Olimpico last Tuesday took some by surprise.

The situation left Biancoceleste behind the Dutch side, who rarely lose at home.

Most worrisome is the Biancoceleste's away record in their European match in 2022-23, the Serie A side has gone four games without a win.

Lazio was beaten 5-1 by Midtjylland in September, failed to score in Feyenoord's 1-0 defeat, and failed to score against Sturm Graz. They also failed to score again in their Conference League playoff against CFR Cluj last month.

Lazio (4-3-3): Maximiano; Lazzari, Gila, Casale, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Marcos Antonio, Vecino, Cancellieri, Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni

Prediction: AZ Alkmaar - Lazio = 1 - 1