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Odin Holm was one of two Celtic players dismissed in defeat by Feyenoord| Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Tuesday, 28 November Kick-off: 17:45 GMT |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra/DAB/810MW, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app |
Celtic must keep 11 players on the pitch if they are to have any chance of taking their Champions League hopes to the final game of the group stage, says manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Scottish Premiership side were reduced to nine men against Feyenoord and 10 against Atletico Madrid in damaging away defeats. That, combined with a late home loss to Lazio and a draw with the Spaniards, has left them in a precarious position.
Celtic face the Italians on Tuesday and know that anything other than a win will not only end their Champions League ambitions but also arithmetically end their interest in European football for the entire campaign.
"We're under no illusions about what we need to do," Rodgers said after arriving in Rome on Monday evening.
"We learned that, over the course of the competition, when we are 11 v 11, we can really compete. In the two away games, we have been down to nine men and 10 men and, at this level, that's a big ask.
"So it will be about keeping our players on the field and playing to the level that we can - and that we have shown - and hopefully getting the breaks in the game.
"I'm excited by it and I'm really looking forward to seeing us play tomorrow. I really think we can get the result we want, but we will have to work really, really hard."
Team news
Celtic winger Luis Palma is suspended and forward Daizen Maeda unavailable, while Reo Hatate and Liel Abada are again missing through injury.
However, right-back Alistair Johnston could return to the starting XI and winger James Forrest is available after missing out at the weekend.
"It's clear we're missing a lot of dynamic players who can change the way a game looks for us," Rodgers said. "But there have been lots of players who maybe haven't had the opportunity they would like. They have to be ready to take it."
Lazio will be without centre-backs Alessio Romagnoli and Nicolo Casale, as well as winger Mattia Zaccagni.
Choose your starting XI. It's up to you how to approach it - you could go for the team you WANT the manager to pick or the one you THINK he will.
What state are Lazio in?
Lazio lost at the weekend to Salernitana - who had not won all term and sit bottom of Serie A - and find themselves 11th in the Italian top-flight.
Consequently, pressure has been building on head coach Maurizio Sarri, who led the Rome side to a second-place finish last season and a second Champions League campaign in 15 years.
"I think, considering the problems in Serie A and with the team recently, the Champions League has taken even greater importance," Rome-based Scottish journalist Alasdair Mackenzie told the Scottish Football Podcast.
"Lazio have a real edge at home in Europe and especially for this match because they put on ticket deals in order to get a sellout. So the atmosphere should be amazing even in comparison to the other two home matches."
You can hear more on the Scottish Football Podcast, which will be published on BBC Sounds from 12:00 (GMT) on Tuesday.
What they said
Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri: "Celtic have a good rhythm, a good intensity, it is not going to be an easy game. They lost their other two away matches, but in both had players sent off and that was a factor."
Lazio forward Pedro: "They played well at Celtic Park and are very tough and physical. They have a number of very interesting players. Joe Hart is very experienced and Callum McGregor is very technical and difficult to play against."
Celtic defender Liam Scales: "If we win the two games, we give ourselves a right chance. We do believe we can do it. We've gone toe-to-toe with these clubs but been on the wrong side of the results."
Match stats
- After losing home and away to Celtic in the 2019-20 Europa League group stages, Lazio won 2-1 at Celtic Park on matchday two of this season's Champions League.
- Celtic have never won in Italy in the European Cup or Champions League (D2 L8), failing to score in eight games of their 10 games, including the last four.
- Lazio have only lost one of their last 11 home games in major European competition (W5 D5) and are unbeaten at home in the Champions League this term, having drawn 1-1 with Atletico Madrid and beaten Feyenoord 1-0.
- Celtic have lost their last four Champions League away games by an aggregate score of 16-2. They are looking for their third ever away win in the competition in what will be their 39th game (W2 D4 L32).
- Celtic are winless in their last 14 Champions League games (D3 L11). If they fail to beat Lazio, they'll become the first British side to go 15 consecutive games without winning in European Cup/Champions League history.
- Lazio are aiming to win back-to-back Champions League games for the first time since October 2001, when they beat PSV Eindhoven then Galatasaray.
- Celtic have had three red cards in four Champions League encounters this term (Holm, Lagerbielke and Maeda). The last team to have more than three in the group stage was Anderlecht in 2013-14 (four).
- Since winning his first Champions League game in September 2014 (2-1 v Ludogorets), Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has only won one of his last 21 (D6 L14), losing seven of the last eight (D1).
- Ciro Immobile has scored six goals in nine Champions League games for Lazio, averaging a goal every 116 minutes.
- Celtic's Joe Hart would become the first English goalkeeper to make 50 European Cup/Champions League appearances.
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