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Headline: Strikers Castellanos and Leao Poised to Ignite Coppa Italia Clash Between Lazio and AC Milan

Rome, Italy – All eyes will be on the forward lines tonight as Lazio and AC Milan battle for a quarter-final spot in the Coppa Italia. The match promises a captivating duel between two key strikers eager to prove their worth after injury-plagued stretches.

As highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lazio’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Valentin “Taty” Castellanos. The Argentinian striker recently returned from a six-week absence due to a thigh injury suffered in October. Manager Maurizio Sarri is expected to start Castellanos, valuing his ability to exploit space and provide a different dimension to Lazio’s attack compared to alternative Dia.

Castellanos aims to rediscover the form that saw him score 14 goals last season, a feat Lazio desperately need him to repeat if they want to be competitive in all competitions. He has two goals and three assists in Serie A so far this season.

On the other side, AC Milan will look to Rafael Leao for inspiration. Despite also enduring a spell on the sidelines due to a calf injury in August, the Portuguese forward has already notched five Serie A goals. He even scored the winning goal in the previous match against Lazio. Manager Massimiliano Allegri has found a way for him to perform as a centre-forward, which offers the team a different style in the attack, which they missed.

Leao’s recent shift to a more central role has proven fruitful. He is scoring more frequently while making fewer crosses and dribbles, showing increased efficiency in front of goal.

The Coppa Italia tie is set to be a thrilling contest, with the performances of Castellanos and Leao likely to be decisive in determining which team advances to the next round.

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