Baroni: ‘I demand a strong Lazio performance’ in Braga | OneFootball

Lazio coach Marco Baroni outlines why he is using Mario Gila as a makeshift midfielder in the Europa League against SC Braga. ‘I demand a strong performance and the right attitude.’

It kicks off at the Estadio Municipal de Braga at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Roma-Eintracht Frankfurt on the Liveblog.

The Aquile are top of the table after seven matches and the only team to have already guaranteed their place in the Round of 16 with a game to spare.

However, they are also struggling with an injury crisis, missing Nuno Tavares, Manuel Lazzari, Patric and Matias Vecino, while Matteo Guendouzi has flu symptoms.

Mattia Zaccagni and Nicolò Rovella sit out bans, so Mario Gila has to be used as a makeshift midfielder.

Baroni will not stand for distracted Lazio

Mario Gila of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Ademola Lookman of Atalanta during the Serie match between Lazio and Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico on December 28, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“I demand a strong performance, because even if we are missing some players, I want to see the right attitude from the team. These are wonderful matches, we are up against a quality opponent and I want to see a real game where the team gives everything it has,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.

The only two senior outfield players on the bench are Boulaye Dia and Gustav Isaksen, which is why centre-back Gila has been moved into midfield.

“At this moment, Gila was a solution, I talked to him and he must see this as an opportunity for personal growth. We looked over the game together, I told him he has to simplify his performance, where to go and get the ball, because he can receive passes that he’s not accustomed to,” explained Baroni.

“He is intelligent, young, has an important career in front of him, so I gave him this task today because I am convinced he can do it.”

Lazio are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina in Serie A and have shown a weakness in dealing with crosses into the box.

“We have a few situations that we need to work on and I already explained to the squad. Opponents study us now and try to make the most of that weakness, so we need to create more density in the box,” confessed Baroni.

“When situations keep repeating themselves, it is my job to do something different and work on it with the players.”