Baroni confident Lazio are focused on Europa League | OneFootball

Lazio are seeking a club record fifth consecutive Europa League victory tomorrow against Ludogorets and coach Marco Baroni would ‘never contemplate’ the idea they’d underestimate the match.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Thursday at 17.45 GMT.

The Biancocelesti are the only side in the competition with a 100 per cent record and have extra motivation tomorrow to set a new club record.

“I would never contemplate the idea that my team could underestimate a Europa League match, it simply isn’t possible,” assured Baroni in his press conference.

“This is a very important game in front of our fans, we need a great performance. We can and we must do it. There is no ‘me’ in football, it’s about the team, the club, the staff, the fans, everyone around us.

“We have a strong mentality, it is a great opportunity for us to keep growing both individually and collectively, which we can then take with us back to Serie A. We want to go as far as we can in every competition, we owe that to ourselves.”

Lazio at right time for Baroni

epa11708475 SS Lazio’s Pedro Rodriguez in action during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SS Lazio and FC Porto, in Rome, Italy, 07 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ETTORE FERRARI

Baroni had never coached in Europe before, so he has a perfect record at this level. Did he arrive at Lazio at the right time in his own career?

“I don’t believe in coincidences. This is the strongest team I’ve ever worked with, I told them that from the first day, and they still have big margin for improvement too. I work with the whole squad, when there are talented players, it’s my job to get the best out of them and they recognise that everyone will get a chance to play.”

The coach confirms Mattia Zaccagni, Alessio Romagnoli and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru need to be “evaluated” after knocks in the 3-0 victory over Bologna at the weekend.

Tijjani Noslin is set to start tomorrow, although the precise role he is playing is still up for grabs.

“He played on the right and left, is always at our disposal. We’ll now try to figure out what he is best at now that his ban has expired. He could start as a centre-forward tomorrow, as he tends to cut inside anyway,” added Baroni.

“Dele-Bashiru is a midfielder who can play all over the pitch, as he brings energy, physical strength and is really improving in training.”

Noslin is likely to be supported in a 4-2-3-1 formation by Loum Tchaouna, Boulaye Dia and Pedro, even though the Spanish veteran already started at the weekend against Bologna.