Lazio is back in Serie A action this Sunday against Monza, but coach Gennaro Gattuso is already wrestling with three huge selection dilemmas as his squad gets ready to host the match. These aren’t minor tweaks, either; Gattuso has some real head-scratchers on his hands as he finalizes the lineup.
The Big Striker Question: Noslin’s Heating Up, Pinamonti’s Not
The biggest headache for Gattuso is definitely up front, where the fight for the starting striker role is intense. Andrea Pinamonti was supposed to be the guy, the “ideal profile” to lead the line after joining in late August. But let’s be real, he just hasn’t found his form yet. It’s been a tough start for him. On the flip side, Tijjani Noslin has been absolutely lights out, making himself the favorite to start. The guy hammered home back-to-back goals against AC Milan and Venezia! How do you bench a player performing like that? Gattuso’s got to make a call, and right now, Noslin’s red-hot form seems impossible to ignore.
Defensive Shake-Up and International Returns
While the striker debate rages, there’s also a big decision to make on defense. Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi, former Union Berlin teammates, totally rekindled their partnership during the international break, playing in friendlies against Arezzo and Juve Stabia. Now, they are absolutely challenging Oliver Provstgaard and Josip Sutalo for those starting spots. Provstgaard and Sutalo were heavily involved with their national teams, so Leite and Doekhi could offer some much-needed fresh legs. That’s a huge advantage coming off a break. Gattuso also confirmed Romano Floriani Mussolini should lock down the right flank, and Gustav Isaksen looks fully fit after groin surgery, showing some seriously positive signs during the international break. That’s great news for the squad.
Injury Updates and Waiting Games
Unfortunately, not all the news is great on the injury front. Albert Gudmundsson returned early from international duty after dislocating his shoulder and could be sidelined for a tough six weeks. That’s a real blow, for sure. On a slightly brighter note, Matteo Cancellieri and Adam Marusic are still training separately, but we should see them back with the group in the coming days. They’re both expected to get a call-up for the Monza game, which is a positive sign, but it’s unlikely either will be in the starting lineup. Gattuso has to balance who’s ready with who’s fresh, and Sunday’s game against Monza is going to be a true test of his strategic genius. Every point matters, and getting these choices right sets the tone for the next few weeks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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