Baroni: ‘Lazio face a very different Roma’ under Ranieri | OneFootball

Lazio boss Marco Baroni is looking forward to facing his old coach Claudio Ranieri as an opponent in the Derby della Capitale, but warns ‘it is a very different Roma’ to the one seen two months ago.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.

There are a whopping 15 points separating the two teams going into this match, so naturally the Biancocelesti are to be considered the favourites.

However, Baroni warns this is not seeing the full picture, especially as Roma are on their third coach of the campaign after Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric.

“You can sense the atmosphere has changed and this game is being played on Sunday, not two months ago,” Baroni told DAZN.

“In the last five games, Roma have earned as many points as us and score twice as much as they did before. It is a very different Roma, we are facing a dangerous, solid and balanced opponent.”

Baroni has to reshuffle Lazio against Roma

LECCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 22: Adam Marusic of SS Lazio vcelebratres a second goal during the Serie match between Lecce and Lazio at Stadio Via del Mare on December 22, 2024 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Lazio have quite a few injury problems for this showdown, as Pedro, Matias Vecino and Tijjani Noslin are out of action, while Manuel Lazzari and Gil Patric are probably only fit for a spot on the bench.

“We must all be ready, because this is a game decided by those who start, those who come on, even those who are not available. We have to prepare all together,” continued Baroni.

There were over 5,000 fans flocking to the training session this afternoon to cheer on the Lazio players, a sign of how much they are looking forward to this derby.

“There is a very different passion level in Rome, we know how much the two sets of fans care about this match. We must experience that emotion and transfer it on to those who are watching, suffering and feeling that passion.

“The only thing we must do is leave the field having given absolutely everything, that is the greatest gift we can give to the fans.”

This is a reunion for Baroni, who was a player under Ranieri at Napoli and now meets him as an opposition coach.

“I remember Claudio being a marvellous person and a coach whose career speaks for him. He made us work hard in training, but was also open to dialogue and knew how to deal with us.”