Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Stadio Olimpico will be packed when Lazio and Feyenoord lock horns in round 4 of the Champions League group stages. The Biancocelesti are hungry for revenge and their three-game winning run at home in Serie A is certainly fuelling fans with optimism ahead of Tuesday’s showdown. Experienced striker Ciro Immobile is pushing for a start after coming as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Bologna, whereas defender Nicolo Casale remains in the treatment room.
The Rotterdammers, on the other hand, aim to retain top position in Group E, but seeing that Lazio are a real force to be reckoned with in Rome, we predict that the Dutch outfit will return home empty-handed. Feyenoord defender Gernot Trauner continues to miss out with injury, while forward Yankuba Minteh is a major doubt and the 19-year-old will be assessed ahead of the kick-off. In their last encounter in the “Eternal City” Lazio defeated Feyenoord 4-2.
Highlighted Player (Elseid Hysaj):
Born on 2nd February 1994, Elseid Hysaj is an Albanian defender who has spent his entire professional career in Italian Serie A and he is predicted a bright future in the game. Empoli scouts spotted his talent while he was playing for Shodra youth sides, and after three years in the youth team, the full-back was promoted to the first team set up.
Hysaj performed really well in his first three years as a first team regular, helping the Azzurri gain promotion to the top fight in the process. One season in Serie A proved enough for the right-sided defender to secure a big club move as he joined Napoli in the summer of 2015 and immediately nailed down a regular starting berth.
Capable of doing dirty defensive work as well as making forward runs, Hysaj is a modern full-back, who is destined for big things. The talented footballer is already a key member of the Albania national team and he will represent the country at the Euro 2016 finals.
Highlighted Team (Feyenoord):
Back in 1908 football club Wilhemina was founded in the pub De Vereeniging and they played their home games in blue-sleeved red shirts and white shorts. The club’s name was changed to Hillesluise in 1909 and soon they became RVV Celeritas.
Finally, in 1912 the club got a name SC Feijenoord. Feyenoord won their first Eredivisie trophy in 1924 and 75 years later they clinched their 14th domestic trophy, finishing the season 15 points clear of second-placed Willem II. De Trots van Zuid play their home games at De Kuip and the capacity of the venue is 51 117.
The club’s fiercest rivals are Ajax and the two teams face each other in der Klassieker. The likes of Craig Bellamy, Gerrard Fox, Wouter Bos and Raemon Sluiter are notable supporters of the club. It is well known that football legends Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Peter Houtman all played for Feyenoord in the past. De Trots van Zuid play their home games in red-white shirts and black shorts.