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2022/23 Italian Serie A
Matchday 16
Lecce v Lazio
Stadio Via del mare
Lecce, Italy
Wednesday, 4 January 2023
Kick-off is at 17h30
Lazio will be looking to start the new year on a positive note when they lock horns with Lecce at the Stadio Via del mare on Wednesday, January 4.
The Eagles entered the World Cup break occupying the final Champions League spot, although only goal difference kept them above Inter Milan in the table.
Maurizio Sarri's side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Juventus in their final game of 2022, which halted a two-match winning streak and saw them miss out on the chance to overtake AC Milan into second place.
The Eternal City outfit played three friendlies in December to get ready for the resumption of the league after a seven-week recess, securing victories over Galatasaray (2-1) and Hatayspor (5-2) before going down 2-1 to Almeria.
Sarri declared himself "satisfied" with their preparations, while he's yet to integrate all of his World Cup stars back in the squad prior to their trip to the south coast.
"In the 10 days of work in Formello, with many double sessions, the boys trained very well," he told the Lazio Style Channel. "I have rarely seen a team train like this after a long break. For now we are satisfied.
"[Matias] Vecino returned from the World Cup down in the dumps but physically he's fine. [Sergej] Milinkovic, on the other hand, is working little due to an ankle problem, we hope to have him back on top soon."
The Giallorossi find themselves near the bottom of the standings albeit eight points clear of danger in 16th position.
Marco Baroni's team closed out 2022 on a high by beating Atalanta 2-1 and Sampdoria 2-0 to open up some distance to the relegation zone.
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Lecce emerged 2-1 victors in the corresponding fixture the last time they met in July 2020 and Baroni is hoping for a repeat scenario to get them up and running in 2023.
"We can't wait for the championship to start again. We want to start off on the right foot and we have every reason to do well right away against Lazio," he told Sportitalia.
"The team is calm and confident. But we will always have to pay attention to all the details because it will be a different championship from how we left it."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Serie A Meetings)
Matches - 5
Lecce - 1
Lazio - 3
Draws - 1
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