Lazio vs Genoa: Serie A Round 2 Preview – Gattuso Eyes Response After Coppa Upset
Lazio host Genoa at their home ground on Sunday, 30 August 2026, in the second round of Serie A. The Roman club are looking to bounce back from a shock 2-0 Coppa Italia defeat to Mantova, while Genoa begin their campaign under Daniele De Rossi aiming to improve on last season's narrow escape from relegation.
Team News and Injury Latest
Lazio boss Gennaro Gattuso has several selection headaches. Winger Gustav Isaksen, midfielder Patrick, and Danilo Cataldi are all sidelined, while summer departures of Hila and Provedel have further depleted the squad. The Coppa Italia loss exposed a lack of cutting edge, with last season's joint top scorers Isaksen and Pedro managing only five league goals each.
Genoa travel with their own injury list, missing Traoré, Venturino, Nuredini, and Meichtry. De Rossi is expected to set up in the 3-4-1-2 shape used in their opener, with Bijlow in goal behind Marcandalli, Otoa, and Vasquez. Wing-backs Norton-Cuffy and Mitaj will provide width, while Baldanzi supports strikers Vitinha and Colombo.
Lazio Form and Context
Lazio's pre-season was overshadowed by fan discontent and the immediate cup exit. Without European football, a slow start to the domestic campaign would pile pressure on Gattuso. The side showed last spring they can grind out results on the road – a 0-2 win at Bologna's Dall'Ara stands out – but they currently look less composed than during that run.