Recent success amid general worries: All the key stats ahead of Lazio vs. AC Milan

AC Milan will be up against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico this evening and a win is a must, having failed to prevail in the opening two games. Taking a look at the key stats and facts for this fixture, the Rossoneri have enjoyed recent against the Biancocelesti. 

Paulo Fonseca is reportedly ready to make some tough decisions regarding the starting XI, with Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao bound to be on the bench. This would certainly be a huge statement from the manager, who must turn things around before the break.

Our pre-match preview has the latest team news and some opposition insight, while below are the key stated ahead of the game.

Key stats and facts

➤ Milan have won five of their last six league matches against Lazio (L1), including the most recent three without conceding a goal – the Rossoneri have not had a longer winning streak against the Bianconcelesti in Serie A since the period between 2003 and 2005 (a run of 5).

➤ Lazio and Milan have not drawn in Serie A since 25 November 2018 (1-1 in that case at the Olimpico) – eight Rossoneri victories and three Biancocelesti victories since.

➤ Milan won their last away match against Lazio in Serie A (1-0 on last 1st March); the last time the Rossoneri recorded two away successes in a row against the Biancocelesti dates to the period between 2007 and 2009 (a run of 3).

➤ Lazio could lose two of their first three matches of the season in consecutive Serie A campaigns for the first time since 1953-54 and 1954-55.

➤ For the first time since the 2011-12 season Milan have not won any of their first two games played in a Serie A campaign (draw with Lazio and defeat against Napoli) – in that case the Rossoneri then drew the third match (v Udinese).

➤ If they lose this match, Milan would record their worst start in Serie A in the three points for a win era, fourth worst overall in their history in the competition, after 1946-47, 1938-39 and 1930-31 (always winning 1 point in those seasons).

➤ Milan are the team to have attempted the most total shots (43), had the most touches into the opposition box (82), recorded the highest percentage of successful passes in the opposite half (88%) and made the most direct attacks (10) in Serie A this season so far.

➤ Mattia Zaccagni has been involved in four of Lazio’s last six home goals in Serie A (3 goals and 1 assist), after having not been involved in any of the Biancocelesti’s previous 14 home goals (excluding own goals).

➤ Rafael Leão is the player who has created the joint- most chances (7, level with Paulo Dybala), played the most balls into the opposition box (22) and attempted the most total shots (11, level with Valentín
Castellanos) in Serie A this term.

➤ With his eight tackles recorded against Parma, Strahinja Pavlovic became the player with the most tackles on his debut match for Milan in Serie A since the data has been available (since 2004-05).