On the eve of Lazio’s away match against Udinese, manager Marco Baroni addressed the media in a pre-match press conference. The Biancocelesti coach provided insights into team preparation, player fitness, and tactical approaches for the upcoming fixture.
Baroni began by wishing a speedy recovery to Luca Pellegrini, who was recently involved in a car accident. He then focused on the team’s preparation, stating, “The team has worked, every day is precious. We’ve put the last game behind us and are thinking about the trip to Udine, which will be complicated.”
Regarding expectations for the Udinese match, Baroni said, “It’s a good test in Udine, we’re playing against a team with physical structure, that plays vertical football, and works on pressure. There will be difficulties that the team has prepared for. It will be an intense challenge.”
The manager emphasized the need for improvement in certain areas: “We need to improve in the speed of our play. The team is working with dedication, which is important to me. Everyone, those who played and those who stayed out, the entire squad is moving in the same direction. I expect an important match.”
Baroni addressed the possibility of playing new signing Boulaye Dia alongside Taty Castellanos: “I don’t rule this out. Dia is doing well, he’s worked hard. Physically he’s fine. We’re bringing him into our work, he’s fitting in well, he has the characteristics we’re looking for. Mobility, depth, he knows how to score goals.”
On the topic of team selection and player hierarchies, Baroni stated, “I don’t like to talk about hierarchies, the work and the week take care of that. Whoever works hard and shows me they want to be on the field, goes on the field. It’s respectful towards them and raises the level.”
Discussing new signing Dele-Bashiru, Baroni explained, “The boy needs to be built up. He has important physical and technical characteristics, he comes from a different football, a different way of being on the field. We need to give him confidence, without that you go nowhere.”
