Lazio Veteran Confirms Renewal Talks, Urges the Club to Keep Marco Baroni

Lazio striker Pedro Rodriguez revealed his desire to stay at the club at least for another year, confirming that the two parties are currently engaged in extension talks.

The Background

Even though he’ll be 38 in July, the Spaniard remains a key player for the Biancocelesti, especially when coming off the bench. This season, he has provided 12 goals and five assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, and has emerged as the last-gasp hero on several occasions.

Pedro Wants Lazio Stay

Therefore, Lazio sporting director Angelo Fabiani has recently expressed the club’s intention to keep Pedro beyond the current campaign, and the player himself has now confirmed renewal talks in his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Calciomercato). The experienced attacker also left the door open for a post-retirement role at Formello.

As far as I’m concerned, I’ve decided that I’ll play for at least another year. I’m really happy here and I’d like to continue this adventure. I was very pleased with Fabiani’s words. I can say that we’re discussing the renewal and I think that finding an agreement won’t be a problem.

I was also very pleased to hear the director talk about my future at the club, but this will be a choice to make later with my family. But yes, it would be nice to stay at Lazio. Becoming a coach is a prospect that really appeals to me, but I haven’t decided yet if this the role I want. In any case, I certainly want to stay in the football world.

Pedro Back Marco Baroni

The former Barcelona and Chelsea star also urged the Lazio management to put their faith in Marco Baroni and confirm him for next season.

I didn’t know the coach at first, so for me he was a great revelation. He implemented a modern, spectacular and effective style. And on a human level he was good at helping everyone improve. His best quality is sincerity. Which is a characteristic that not all coaches have.

It’s not up to me to say whether he deserves confirmation or not; it’s the club that decides. However, I hope he’s given the chance to start a cycle, because I’m sure he would continue to do well. In fact, I think he would do even better next season.

The Challenge Against Juventus & Igor Tudor

Pedro also discussed the upcoming clash against Juventus which will be crucial for the Champions League race, while heaping praise on former Lazio coach Igor Tudor who is now in charge of the Bianconeri.

Juve is always a tough opponent. This season they had a lot of difficulties, but they are still a top-level team. Tudor has given them greater compactness. He is an excellent coach, we had him in the final part of the previous season and we learned to know him and appreciate him.

He is someone who demands a lot, but who also gives a lot. We have to play to the best of our ability because against these opponents, if you make a mistake, you get punished immediately. It is a do-or-die game, this is how you must interpret it.