Lazio injuries pile up before Leverkusen clash

Lazio, third place finishers in Serie A last season, defeated Leverkusen 1-0 last week at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of their qualifying play-off.

But injuries have piled up since Lazio's opening league game of the season, with German veteran Miroslav Klose, fellow striker Filip Djordjevic, midfielder Lucas Biglia and goalkeeper Federico Marchetti notably sidelined.

Coach Stefano Pioli unveiled his squad list for the decider in Germany and he has only two strikers, youngsters Keita Balde and newly-signed Dutchman Ricardo Kishna, at his disposal.

Keita scored the winner last week against Leverkusen while Kishna, 20, scored his maiden goal for Lazio in a 2-1 win over Bologna on Saturday, when Biglia also scored before hobbling off with a calf injury.

The winner of the playoff will progress to the group stages of the Champions League, the draw for which will be held on Thursday.