Lazio

Europe: UEFA Europa League (Round of 32)

Lazio crossed paths with league leaders Juventus in the Coppa Italia this week, but extending an unbeaten run to a 17 games in all competitions is a more pressing matter, while narrowing the Bianconeri's five-point lead. The capital club emerged from the first leg of a cup semi-final with a creditable 1-1 draw ahead of the return to the Stadio Olimpico, and head coach Vladimir Petkovic was suitably relieved. "We believed we could get the draw right until end and we were rewarded," he said. "There were phases of the game in which Juventus crushed as and we suffered for it. We played well in the first half, and were in a bit of trouble in the second, but we never lost our heads and never gave up. Hopefully we can repeat the performance at the Olimpico, perhaps boosted by pressure from the fans." Chievo pose an unpredictable threat to Lazio's dominance at the Stadio Olimpico, where the Biancocelesti last tasted defeat to Genoa in September. Lorik Cana serves a one-match ban while Miroslav Klose, Ederson and Marius Stankevicius look to miss out through injury. The Flying Donkeys have not beaten Lazio in seven attempts but claimed a surprise 3-0 victory in Rome back in March 2009. Hernanes scored either side of a goal from Klose as Lazio triumphed 3-1 at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi in September's reverse fixture.