Lazio head coach Marco Baroni was highly critical of his team’s display following the shocking final-day defeat to Lecce.
Lazio Miss Out on Europe
The Biancocelesti had a numerical advantage for an entire half following Santiago Pierotti’s dismissal, but failed to capitalize on it, as Taty Castellanos and his teammates couldn’t find a way past Wladimiro Falcone. Hence, Lassana Coulibaly’s late first-half strike was enough to secure three points that spelt safety for the Giallorossi.
Player Ratings: Lazio 0-1 Lecce – Romagnoli & Gila Lose Their Heads
On the other hand, Baroni was greatly disappointed by Lazio’s performance, as the team gave away their Conference League spot to Fiorentina after falling to seventh place in the table. In his post-match interview with Sky Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), he suggested that some of his players had already lost their focus and composure in the final weeks of the campaign.
We played a bad game. I’m disappointed with myself for not being able to evoke another good performance after last weekend at San Siro. This last match is the one that sticks, and it has tarnished what has been done during the season.
I can feel the pain of the fans and the club, I had spoken several times with the lads about the difficulties of the game, because there were players who were already thinking about their summer holidays.
I don’t want to look for excuses. I take responsibility, perhaps I wasn’t able to make them understand the importance of this game.
Baroni Opens Up on His Lazio Future
Baroni admitted that his future at Lazio remains up in the air ahead of crucial assessments that will determine his fate.
If they must fire me, the club will know. I gave my all and so did the team. We came close and we ruined everything with this last game. In the next few days we will meet and make all the necessary evaluations about my future.
Sad that an almost 40 year old player Pedro, is outshining the likes of Taty and Zaccagni. Please sell Taty, Noslin, Tchouna, Zaccagni and a couple of others. I would move Isaksen to another position, midfield or a right back. Invest on some real Strikers and Attacking midfielders!
Isaksen at midfield? The guy gets dispossessed 5+ times every match lol wouldn’t you want your midfielder to be conservative on the ball
Couldnt agree with you more. Zaccagni and Taty dissapointing. Both still couldnt replace Immobile even if they tried & yes, super-sub Pedro outshined them everytime.
I have lost hope in Taty I am afraid and many more
Noslin, Tchouna, Dele Bashiru, Dia are not up to the class. I don’t know why Baroni hardly used Ibrahimovic who was flattered so much by this website before, probably he is not up to the standard yet but was picked by the financially disable management team.
Marusic, Hysaj should go as they fail to offer the much needed assist in the attack. Crossing has been a bad sector for Lazio, and Lecce definitely gave a punishment to it. Taty is a fair player with instinct to attack but not really great finishing. You can see how poor Lazio were when Taty was absent. But he is never on a par with Immobile in peak level. He should be replaced by a more deadly finisher.
I am feel sorry for Baroni. I think the Mister has almost reached the maximum with this squad. As how you said before me, Taty is not a classic poacher, I am really like his passion, attitude and power what he put on the field in every game, but he need to upgrade himself to be a better goalscorer and to be a number one choice as a number 9 position. Zaccagni and Isaksen had only moments at every 3rd game, on the rest of the matches they gave us forgetable performance, and also our biggest problem is at the fullbacks. Both of them could be crucial but our players are just simply not top class. That is why I said the Mister I think did his best. This squad was enough for only this. We need a lot more Rovella, Guendu, Gila and Romagnoli to have a chance for reaching the podium next year. Sorry Taty, but we must need to sell you and Tchaouna (he was the biggest dissapointment unfortunately at the most important moments…) and if we will have a great price for him,then Zaccagni also, after that firstly buy a top class striker, winger and right back, then we could mashing up the squad. Maybe bring a playmaker also, then we can start to hope in a better result at the end of the season…
Folks,
Sadly Lottito is a business man first and foremost. He will never spend big like other clubs.
We can keep dreaming and that’s all we have. To win with a half decent team you need a great coach like Conte.
I was always wiery of Baroni when they hired him but first half of the season was great, second half was very poor, the coach is the one that is in charge so something horrible went wrong.
Lottito spends enough on a squad that is decent for 6th or so spot, this year proved my point to my cousins whom I talk football with a lot.
That’s the reality of being a Lazio supporter. Get used to it or just retire being a fan, retiring is easier.