Lazio goalkeeper crisis deepens ahead of Roma derby

Lazio’s preparations for the Derby della Capitale against Roma have been severely disrupted by a goalkeeper crisis, with first-choice Edoardo Motta ruled out of the upcoming fixture due to a muscle injury. The 21-year-old, who joined the club in January as a replacement for Christos Mandas following his transfer to Bournemouth, had been performing reliably in the absence of Ivan Provedel, whose season ended prematurely due to shoulder surgery.

Motta’s absence leaves Alessio Furlanetto as the only available first-team goalkeeper for the match. The 24-year-old, a product of the Lazio academy, is expected to make his Serie A and senior debut in the high-stakes encounter. Furlanetto was promoted to the senior squad in 2022 but effectively joined the first-team setup in 2024 after two loan spells at Renate and Fermana, having served as third-choice custodian over the previous two seasons without making an appearance.

The goalkeeper shortage coincides with further absences in the wider squad. Motta joins fellow players Mattia Zaccagni and Patric on the sidelines, compounding the selection challenges for the coaching staff. The defensive unit faces additional pressure, with Alessio Romagnoli suspended and Samuel Gigot having not played throughout the entire season.

Concerns regarding player fitness have also been raised, with reports indicating that defender Mario Gila and midfielder Toma Basic are not at their best. Consequently, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is expected to replace Basic in the midfield. If Gila is unable to recover in time, tactical adjustments may see Adam Marusic moved to a central defensive role, with Manuel Lazzari potentially deployed at right-back.

A probable starting lineup for the 4-3-3 formation includes Furlanetto in goal, supported by a back four of Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, and Tavares. The midfield is projected to feature Dele-Bashiru alongside Rovella and Taylor, while the attack is expected to be led by Isaksen, Dia, and Noslin.