Lazio face a daunting task as they prepare to welcome Bodo/Glimt to the Stadio Olimpico for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final. Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Norway, the Biancocelesti are under pressure to turn their fortunes around in front of their home crowd. The match is set to kick off at 8:00 PM BST on April 17, 2025, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter as Lazio seeks to overturn a deficit that has never been achieved in UEFA competition history.
The first leg, played on a slick artificial pitch in Bodo, saw Lazio struggle to find their rhythm, ultimately succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. Ulrik Saltnes was the standout performer for Bodo/Glimt, netting both goals in the second half, leaving Lazio with plenty to rue from their performance. The Italian side has been inconsistent lately, and the loss in Norway only compounded their troubles, following a gritty 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Roma in the Derby della Capitale just days earlier.
Currently sitting sixth in the Serie A standings, Lazio find themselves three points adrift of the Champions League spots, making their Europa League campaign crucial. Having topped the group stage among 36 teams, an early exit would be a bitter disappointment for Marco Baroni's squad. "We know we need to put in a strong performance tonight to keep our European hopes alive," said Baroni in the lead-up to the match.
In terms of team news, Lazio has been hit by injuries, particularly in defense. Patric remains sidelined, while Nuno Tavares is back but only fit enough for a place on the bench after missing the derby clash. The good news for Lazio fans is that Nicolò Rovella returns from suspension and is expected to slot back into the starting lineup. Coach Baroni has opted for a strong attacking formation, bringing Taty Castellanos back into the starting XI alongside Mattia Zaccagni and Pedro, who is preferred to Boulaye Dia.
On the other hand, Bodo/Glimt comes into this match fresh after enjoying a weekend off. The reigning Norwegian champions have started their Eliteserien campaign on a high, winning both of their opening matches and demolishing Innstranden 8-0 in the Norwegian Cup. Coach Kjetil Knutsen is likely to stick with the same lineup that proved successful in the first leg, with Saltnes leading the attack once again.
The stakes couldn't be higher for both teams. For Lazio, the chance to progress to the semi-finals is not only about European glory but also about regaining momentum in their season. The winner of this match will face either Tottenham Hotspur or Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter.
Bodo/Glimt, on the other hand, aims to make history as the first Norwegian team to reach the semi-finals of a UEFA men's competition. Their previous encounter with an Italian side in the quarter-finals did not end well, as they lost 4-0 to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in the 2020-21 UEFA Conference League after winning the first leg.
The official line-ups for the match are as follows:
Lazio: Mandas; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Pedro, Zaccagni; Castellanos.
Bodo/Glimt: Haikin; Sjøvold, Bjørtuft, Gundersen, Bjørkan; Evjen, Berg, Saltnes; Blomberg, Høgh, Hauge.
With the referee for the match being Siebert from Germany, fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a captivating showdown. Lazio will need to rely on their home advantage and the support of their passionate fans to overturn the deficit and keep their European dreams alive.
As the match approaches, the tension is palpable. Can Lazio turn it around, or will Bodo/Glimt continue their fairy-tale run in the Europa League? One thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the drama is set to unfold at the Stadio Olimpico.
