By: Jonathan O’Shea
Published: October 22, 2024 | 09:24.

FC Twente, who are currently winless in the Europa League, will host Lazio at De Grolsch Veste on Thursday evening.

While the Tukkers have earned two points from as many games so far, their opponents from Rome are leading the table after back-to-back triumphs.

Despite the fact that both of their Europa League matches this season have ended in a draw, given the calibre of opponents encountered, Twente may not be discouraged by their failure to win thus far.

On the first matchday, the Tukkers rallied back to tie Manchester United at Old Trafford, while their most recent home game against Fenerbahce resulted in a point.

However, Twente remains winless in nine Europa League games before returning to action on Thursday.

After losing to Fener, Joseph Oosting’s team has lost to Feyenoord and drew with RKC in the Eredivisie. They now rank sixth in the league.

Since March, they have scored in 21 consecutive games in all competitions, including Carl Eiting’s last-gasp equaliser at the weekend.

Twente will face Italian competition in either the Europa League or its precursor for the first time since defeating Juventus in the 1975 UEFA Cup semi-finals, when they won both legs but lost to Borussia Monchengladbach in the final.

© Imago

Following a dominating victory against Dynamo Kyiv on the first matchday, Lazio extended their strong start to the league phase by defeating Nice 4-1 at home earlier this month.

Taty Castellanos scored twice at Stadio Olimpico, leading the Biancocelesti to the top of the table with six points out of six.

Marco Baroni’s team enjoys a perfect start to their quest for a top-eight finish, resulting in automatic qualifying to the last 16. They aim to continue this streak.

Lazio has only won their first three European games of the season twice previously, but their high-scoring start suggests they may do it again this week.

The capital club has scored more goals than any other team so far (seven), and only Elfsborg, who recently defeated arch-rivals Roma, has a greater shot conversion rate.

Prior to last week’s defeat to Juventus, Lazio had won four straight Serie A and Europa League games, their finest run since the beginning of the year.

However, a stellar record in Rome is not matched by comparable performance on the road: with a 1-0 loss in Turin, they average less than one point per league game away from home.

FC Twente’s Europa League form:

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Team News

 

Twente will be without Moroccan midfielder Younes Taha on Thursday due to a leg injury that will keep him out until 2025.

Joseph Oosting may make some changes to the team that drew late in Waalwijk last week. However, Michel Vlap, who scored the first goal against Fenerbahce, and Sem Steijn are expected to remain.

With another goal on Saturday, the latter has now been personally involved in nine of his team’s 16 league goals this season.

Meanwhile, Marco Baroni will rotate his team once more after making multiple changes to Lazio’s normal lineup in the first two Europa League games.

Tijjani Noslin, a Dutch attacker, will not be able to return to his country due to a three-match UEFA ban for aggressive conduct, while Manuel Lazzari is dealing with a thigh injury.

Taty Castellanos and Boulaye Dia have both scored twice in Europe this season and should start up front for De Grolsch Veste.

FC Twente’s likely starting lineup: Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Bruns, Hilgers, Salah-Eddine; Vlap, Regeer; Van Bergen, Steijn, Rots; Lammers

Possible starting lineup for Lazio: Mandas, Marusic, Romagnoli, Patric, Pellegrini; Rovella, Vecino; Tchaouna, Dele-Bashiru, Pedro; Castellanos.

 

We predict: FC Twente 2-2 Lazio.

Twente may be forced to settle for a third Europa League draw in a row after a difficult start to their schedule.

Lazio have scored easily this season, particularly in Europe, and it might turn into an open match, with the spoils shared.

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