A.C. Milan won the Italian Super Cup
A.C. Milan players celebrated after defeating arch-rival Inter Milan in the Italian Super Cup Final. Reuters

Serie A champions head into their opening match of the Serie A season after an exceptional pre-season that was culminated with the 2-1 win against Inter Milan in the Supercup Italiana before the international break.

AC Milan will be looking towards Zlatan Ibrahimovic to fire them to victory against Lazio and in their pursuit of both domestic and European honours. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been in fine form all preseason and netted a hat trick for Sweden against Finland in mid-week, heading into the new season in inspired form. The Lazio defenders will have to be in top form if they are to keep the talented striker at bay Friday night.

Lazio will be serious underdogs for the match at the San Siro Friday but the capital club will be buoyed by the AC Milan injury list. AC Milan will be without Mark van Bommel, Robinho and summer signings Taye Taiwo and Philippe Mexes who also side-lined with injuries, while Mathieu Flamini has been ruled out for five months after rupturing ligaments in his knee.

However the Rossoneri fans will be excited to see if Alberto Aquilani can rediscover the form that made Liverpool invest heavily in him 2009.

Probable Line-Ups

AC Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, T. Silva, Antonini, Aquilani, Van Bommel, Seedorf, Boateng, Pato, Ibrahimovic

Lazio: Marchetti; Konko, Biava, Felipe Dias, Radu; Ledesma, Matuzalem; Cisse, Hernanes, Mauri; Klose

Fixture History

    • AC Milan have lost just one opening Serie A fixture in 28 seasons.
    • AC Milan and Lazio have played out draws in their last three meetings.
    • AC Milan are on an eight game unbeaten record stretching back to last season.