Lazio-Viktoria Plzen: at the Olimpico to fly to the quarter-finals, lineups and TV times

Rome 12 March 2025 - The certainty of a match without a tomorrow: the European future passes through the Olimpico and is all in the hands of the Capitoline team. Lazio after seven days he returns to the field in Europe and in front of his fans he will have the chance to snatch the pass to the quarter-finals. Viktoria Plzen in the first leg he showed all his strength, repeatedly putting the Biancocelesti in difficulty, but in the end he had to raise the white flag. Tomorrow, Thursday 13 March 2025, the Lazio team will host the Czechs in the return match of these round of XNUMX of Europa League, kick-off at 18:45.

Despite all the difficulties of the single match, the Lazio survived the first leg. In Pilsen, the Romans won 1-2 at the end of a very long challenge, where this result was achieved only with the game largely in recovery. The initial advantage of Romagnoli, the Biancocelesti saw themselves caught up, with many merits by the Rossoblu of the Czech Republic, then translated into the net by Durosinmi. An uncertain ending, that the boys of Baroni they had to manage first with ten men, then even with nine, given the expulsions before rovella, then of Leg, both straight reds for dangerous tackles. It seemed like a precious draw that was maturing at the Doosan Arena, instead on the last assault the grit of Guendouzi, combined with the quality of Isaac, scored an unexpected goal in the 97th minute. A very important goal for the double confrontation because it is worth the advantage in this return match for Lazio, thus giving a small, but equally important margin to the home team.

La Lazio must however make the most of the experience of the first challenge. The Pilsen challenge has undoubtedly left some ideas, demonstrating how none of these crossovers can be underestimated in Europa League at the moment. There is the mitigating factor of the conditions of the Doosan Arena turf, a pitch in terrible condition that did not facilitate the superior quality of Lazio's dribbling, but not enough to justify all the suffering endured in the Czech Republic. The guests do not lack quality, Paul Sulc he has shown himself to be a top-level player, capable of elevating all his teammates. Added to this is the very expert guidance on the bench of Miroslav Koubek: a coach devoted to aggression and intense play in individual duels. This has put the Biancocelesti under great stress and difficulty, forcing them to cover themselves a lot in the final meters for some parts of the match. It will therefore be necessary not to make the same mistakes as in the first leg to direct the match right from the start and be able to manage pace and energy for the entire duration of the match.

The referee designation for the second leg of the round of 16 UEFA Europa League has assigned the direction of the Olympio race between Lazio e Viktoria Plzen in Dutch Danny Mackelie. The Antillean-born referee will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Hessel Steegstra (NED) and Jan de Vries (NED). Also from the Netherlands are the fourth official Marc Nagtegaal (NED) and the two VAR officials Rob Dieperink (NED) and Erwin Blank (NED). It will be the first meeting for Makkelie with the Biancocelesti, while it will be the third with the Czechs: two wins out of two in the previous matches for the Viktoria Plzen, both arrived in Champions League between the preliminaries and the group stage. For the referee born in 1983, this will be his 30th refereeing match of the season. The first in Europa League, but the number 7 on the field UEFA, between Champions e Nations League, to which he adds 20 of Eredivisie, 1 of Dutch Cup and 2 in Arab countries.

Probable lineups

Baroni recovers Castellanos, but it is unlikely that he will deploy him among the starters, both for prevention and because the Argentine most likely will not have 90 minutes in his legs. In attack then ready noslin as a first striker, supported in the three-quarter line by the hero of the first leg Isaac, Together with Day e Weather in Zaccagni. In midfield alongside Guendouzi it will be Vecino, given the absence due to disqualification of Rovella, while Dele-Bashiru could make a last-minute recovery to be on the bench. Gigot is missing behind, in his place he returns to the starting lineup Crazy in the center with Romagnoli, while Lazzari e Marusic they will complete the line four in front of mandas. 

Koubek should confirm almost entirely the formation of the first leg, in the hope that the script of the Doosan Arena can be repeated. In goal then Jedlicka, protected by the other line composed of Marković to the center and from Dweh e Jemelka at his side. In the middle cerv e Kalvash to dictate the times, while Jemelka e Cadu will have to give energy on the wings. Space for the talent of Sulc paired with the experience of Otter in three-quarters, behind Durosinmi, author of the Czech goal in the first leg match. 

Lazio (4-2-3-1) Mandas; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Vecino; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Noslin. All. Marco Baroni.

Viktoria Plzen (3-4-2-1) Jedlicka; Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka; Memic, Cerv, Kalvach, Cadu; Vydra, Sulc; Durosinmi. Coach Miroslav Koubek.

Where to watch the match

The match between Lazio e Viktoria Plzen of the Olympic Stadium, valid for the return match of the round of 16 of the knockout stage of Europa League, will start at 18:45 on Thursday 13 March 2025. There will be several options available to watch the match. The match will be visible on satellite on the platform Sky, to the channels Sky Sports 4K (channel 213) e Sky Sports channel 253. The match will also be available in streaming on NOW for those who have subscribed to the platform and on Sky Go for those who have a season ticket Sky. You can follow the match by downloading the app on your smart TV or by connecting the TV to a PlayStation 4/5, Xbox console, or to a TIMVISION BOX, to an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast device. Viewing also possible via app or website NOW on tablets, PCs and smartphones. The commentary of the challenge will be entrusted to Antonio Nucera and Luca Marchegiani.