Mattia Zaccagni has taken on new responsibilities at Lazio this season, donning the number 10 shirt and the captain’s armband following the departures of Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto, and Felipe Anderson. Far from feeling burdened, Zaccagni sees these roles as a source of motivation.
Speaking In a recent interview with Il Corriere dello Sport, Zaccagni shared his thoughts on his new status within the team. “The number 10 shirt isn’t a burden, but a stimulus,” he stated. He also mentioned that he keeps in regular contact with Ciro Immobile, whom he considers not just a great player but also a friend.
The captaincy came as a surprise to Zaccagni, as he revealed: “When Baroni communicated the decision to me, I was truly happy, proud, and eager to wear the armband.” He emphasized that there had never been any issues in the dressing room regarding this decision. Zaccagni pledged to continue wearing the armband ‘in his own way’ and with full commitment.
Reflecting on Lazio’s strong start to the season, Zaccagni credited both the club’s management and the new coach: “It starts with the club’s work, the renewal in the transfer market. And Baroni immediately gave us great energy and serenity. The choice of the coach was fundamental.”
Speaking further about Baroni, Zaccagni praised his approach: “He has never failed in preparing for a match: he doesn’t overload us with technical or tactical instructions, he gives us what we need. We were excited and curious to discover Baroni. It was a pleasant impact. He immersed us in a lot of work, in many high-intensity training sessions, which has put us in a position to exploit his game plan.”
Zaccagni also commented on Lazio’s favorable position in the league table: “It should be the reason that gives us the push to keep going like this. We look at it, but at this point in the season, it’s premature to think about big objectives. We play to win always; the attitude must remain the same.”
