Zaccagni Weighs in on Lazio Captaincy, New Role Under Baroni & His Italy Struggles

The Laziali

·25 September 2024

Zaccagni Weighs in on Lazio Captaincy, New Role Under Baroni & His Italy Struggles

Ahead of the Europa League clash against Dynamo Kyiv, Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni joined his coach Marco Baroni in the pre-match press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi).

Baroni & Lazio Captaincy

The 29-year-old insisted that the technical staff has prepared the squad well for the encounter that will take place in Hamburg while describing the captaincy as a great honour.

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The coach has prepared us well. He studied the opponent and gave us all the required instrucctions. We are ready to face such a difficult opponent in the best possible way. It’s an honor to wear the armband. I would like to set an example for the youngsters. We have to evolve and the coach will play a key role in this aspect. And we, the senators, will be looking to guide the youngsters who have recently joined the club.

New Role & Style of Play

Zaccagni was also asked about his new role in Baroni’s system, as he’s been dropping deeper than usual and playing a bigger role in the buildup.

I’m still playing in the same position, but it depends on how it is interpreted. Now I have a full-back like Nuno [Tavares], who always overlaps, playing on my flank. So I have to be ready to make space for him and allow him to make deep runs. In any case, the coach is working on implementing an offensive and proactive style.

Struggle to Break Into Azzurri Starting Lineup

The winger admits that Luciano Spalletti’s 3-5-2 system is making it hard for him to break into the Italian national team, but he’s still hoping to give the manager a selection headache with his impressive displays for Lazio.

Of course it is logical that I struggle to feature in the 3-5-2 formation in the national team. Therefore, I have to give my all in the league with Lazio to make things difficult for the coach in his choices.

Europa League Objectives

Finally, Zaccagni the Europa League is a serious objective for Lazio, echoing Baroni’s statements.

The Europa League is a real goal as the coach said. We want to put grit and humility into every match. We have to go back to the locker room with an empty gas tank after every game and I think that’s what we’re seeing every time we take the pitch.