Senegal international Boulaye Dia will begin on the bench for Lazio in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final against Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
The decision means the striker will likely be relied upon as an impact substitute in one of the most important matches of Lazio’s season, with the club aiming to secure both silverware and a route back into European competition.
Kick-off for the 79th edition of the Coppa Italia final is scheduled for 19:00 GMT, with the match set to be decided either in normal time, extra time or potentially a penalty shoot-out if required.
Dia’s role in the final comes amid a difficult domestic campaign for both the player and the club.
The Senegalese forward has managed two goals and two assists this season, a return that has limited his opportunities in the starting line-up under coach Maurizio Sarri.
Lazio currently sit ninth in Serie A and are no longer in contention to qualify for Europe through their league position, making the Coppa Italia final a crucial opportunity to salvage the campaign.
Victory would deliver the club’s first Coppa Italia title since 2019 and potentially provide a major morale boost after an inconsistent season.
However, Lazio face a difficult challenge against an Inter side that recently defeated them 3-0 in the league.
The Italian champions have opted to start attacking duo Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram together as they seek another domestic trophy.
For Lazio, the return of Mattia Zaccagni and Nuno Tavares is expected to strengthen the team as they attempt to overcome one of the strongest sides in Italian football.
Although Dia is not in the starting XI, his pace and attacking energy could become important later in the contest, particularly if Lazio need a response from the bench.
The final also carries significance for African football followers, with Dia among the continent’s prominent attacking players currently competing in Europe’s top leagues.
The former Senegal international has played a role in maintaining the visibility of African forwards in Italian football, where competition for starting places remains intense.
A strong performance in such a high-profile fixture could also help strengthen his position ahead of future international considerations and major competitions.
Beyond events on the pitch, the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico is also expected to draw attention.
For the first time in months, Lazio ultras are set to return to the stands after suspending their boycott of home matches, which had been staged in protest against club president Claudio Lotito.
