Mansion Sports – The 2025/2026 Coppa Italia returns with a fixture worthy of significant attention as Lazio prepare to host AC Milan in the Round of 16. The match is set to take place at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, 4 December 2025 at 21:15 local time.

For the second time within just five days, Lazio and AC Milan will meet again—this time in the capital—both aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals. 

Following their fiercely contested Serie A clash at San Siro last weekend, which AC Milan won narrowly 1–0, both sides are expected to reproduce the same level of intensity with equally high stakes.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Lazio

Lazio were forced to accept a 1–0 defeat at San Siro after a decisive goal from Rafael Leão, an outstanding performance from Mike Maignan, and a late VAR decision that denied them a potential equalising penalty.

Both Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri and Lazio assistant coach Marco Ianni received red cards following heated protests after the referee declined to award Lazio a spot-kick in the dying moments. In the end, the Biancocelesti returned from Lombardy empty-handed.

Earlier, Lazio had also fallen to Inter at the same stadium. Since their defeat in the Derby della Capitale back in September, their losses have come exclusively in Milan, highlighting the difficulty of their trips to the city.

Lazio are also struggling to score away from home, having failed to find the net in almost 400 minutes of away matches. However, they will now benefit from playing at home in this decisive Coppa Italia Round of 16 fixture as they continue their pursuit of an eighth title in the competition.

Maurizio Sarri’s side, currently eighth in the Serie A standings and ten points behind leaders AC Milan, advanced directly to this stage after finishing in the top eight last season. 

Last weekend’s loss leaves Sarri with only four wins in 21 previous meetings against Allegri—a rivalry spanning 22 years since their early managerial careers in Serie C2.

Sarri now seeks a rare victory over Allegri, who holds the record for the most Coppa Italia titles won by a manager, lifting the trophy five times.

AC Milan

AC Milan’s victory over Lazio propelled them to the top of the Serie A table, level on points with defending champions Napoli, with Inter and Roma still in close pursuit.

The win followed their triumph in this season’s Derby della Madonnina, with captain Mike Maignan once again playing a crucial role in Milan’s strong form during their Scudetto chase.

Milan have now extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches, backed by nine clean sheets so far this season. With that consistency, Allegri’s side increasingly appear to be one of the strongest contenders for the league title.

Due to last season’s disappointing finish, Milan are not participating in European competitions this year, allowing them to focus more intensively on the Coppa Italia—a trophy they have not lifted in over two decades.

The winner of this match will face either Parma or reigning champions Bologna in the quarter-finals, potentially setting up a rematch for Milan against the side that defeated them in the 2025 final. 

Milan entered this stage by eliminating Bari and Lecce, both at home and both without conceding. This time, however, they face a more demanding away fixture in Rome.

Predicted Lineups for Lazio vs AC Milan December 2025

Lazio (4-3-3)

Lazio remain without Samuel Gigot, Matteo Cancellieri, Nicolò Rovella, and Danilo Cataldi. Meanwhile, Valentin Castellanos has only just returned after a seven-week absence. 

Although he made the bench in the previous match, he is unlikely to start, leaving Tijjani Noslin or Boulaye Dia—who has yet to score since replacing Castellanos—as the likely candidates for the central striker role.

With a challenging league matchup against Bologna approaching at the weekend, Sarri may opt for rotation, potentially granting more minutes to players like Pedro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

AC Milan (3-5-2)

Allegri is expected to field a strong side despite limited options in attack. Christian Pulisic—who has scored twice in the Coppa Italia and has seven goals from ten matches this season—may not be fit to start due to recurring muscle issues.

He joins Santiago Giménez on the absentee list, making Leão and Christopher Nkunku the likely forward duo.

The match promises high intensity and a tactical battle between two familiar rivals. Lazio seek to rally in front of their supporters, while Milan arrive with strong momentum. The unfolding drama at the Stadio Olimpico is set to offer an unpredictable spectacle.