The countdown to the Coppa Italia final is on, and Lazio are back on the training ground with renewed focus. Just days away from a showdown with Inter Milan, the Biancocelesti are shaking off a tough dress rehearsal—a 3-0 league loss to the same opponents on Saturday. But as any fan knows, that result won't matter come Wednesday if they can deliver when it counts.
According to Il Corriere dello Sport, manager Maurizio Sarri is planning a major shake-up, with as many as five changes to the starting lineup. The message is clear: this is a new mentality for a one-off final, not a league fixture. Key players who were rested or nursing knocks are expected to return, giving Lazio a fresh look.
In defense, the spine stays steady. Alessio Romagnoli, Mario Gila, and Adam Marusic are set to keep their spots in front of goalkeeper Edoardo Motta. The big change comes at left-back, where Nuno Tavares—who has firmly claimed the starting role—will replace Luca Pellegrini. Tavares' pace and attacking drive could be a game-changer against Inter's wingers.
Midfield is where Sarri's tactical tweaks really stand out. Patric is tipped to start in the deep-lying Regista role, offering more defensive cover than Nicolo Rovella, who may have to settle for a second-half impact. Patric picked up a minor knock on Saturday but is expected to be fit. Danilo Cataldi's status is less certain—the youth product has missed three games with an adductor problem and, while he's due back in training Monday, match fitness remains a question mark. In the box-to-box roles, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru drops to the bench for Kenneth Taylor, while Toma Basic is likely to keep his place.
Up front, the in-form Tijjani Noslin is set to lead the line, replacing Daniel Maldini, who has lost his starting spot after a quiet run. On the right wing, Gustav Isaksen gets the nod over Matteo Cancellieri, who is dealing with a minor issue from the weekend. And on the left, captain Mattia Zaccagni is expected to shake off a recent knock and lead the team onto the pitch.
Beyond the lineup changes, the real story is the shift in mentality. After a flat performance on Saturday, Lazio know they need to enter the final with a different energy—more aggressive, more organized, and ready to seize the moment. For a club chasing silverware, this is the chance to write a different ending.