UEFA have compiled the ‘Facts’ ahead of the Celtic v Lazio clash this evening.
After Match-day Two resulted in a victory for Celtic at home to Cluj, Lazio put Rennes to the sword setting up the Third match-day for what could be a potential decider in terms of who plays European Football after Christmas.
Celtic have won just five of their 25 previous UEFA fixtures against Italian clubs, though at home their record is W4 D5 L3. The most famously victory for the Bhoys versus a Serie A side, was the defeat of Internazionale, to win the 1966/67 European Cup final, triumphing 2-1 in Lisbon. This, to this day, remains one, if not thee, proudest moment in Celtic’s glittering history.
Last season, Celtic were defeated 3-0 on aggregate versus Valencia whilst they missed out on Champions League qualification after losing to their Group E rivals, Cluj, 5-4 on aggregate.
Lazio, meanwhile, have never faced Scottish opposition. UEFA’s website collated a couple of facts ahead of the clash.
Lazio defeated Atalanta 2-0 in last season’s Coppa Italia final to lift the trophy for the seventh time and gain direct access to the UEFA Europa League group stage – a competition they exited in the round of 32 last season after losing home (0-1) and away (0-2) to Sevilla.
Their last six UEFA Europa League group stage participations have all been successful – after failure in the first – and they have topped their section on three occasions. Their best performances came in 2012/13 and 2017/18, when they reached the quarter-finals.
Runners-up to Inter in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup, Lazio went 11 away games unbeaten in the UEFA Europa League, group stage to final, from October 2013 until a 2-3 defeat at Zulte Waregem in December 2017, equalling Fiorentina’s competition record. However, they have now lost seven of their last nine (W2), including four of their last five in the group stage.
