Ajax manager Francesco Farioli is eagerly anticipating his first official match against an Italian team as his side prepares to face Lazio in the fifth round of the Europa League group stage at the Johan Cruyff Arena. The young coach expressed a mix of excitement and nerves ahead of the encounter.
“Yes, it will be a special emotion for me,” Farioli said on the eve of the match. “Especially because two strong teams are facing each other. It will certainly be a beautiful game to experience. For us, however, it will also be very complicated because Lazio is on an exceptional path. What makes us similar is that we both started with low expectations and now we’re building something special.”
Farioli went on to analyze the specific characteristics of Baroni’s Lazio: “Lazio is a high-level club, even on the international stage. What’s most exciting about the Roman team this year is their ability to fill both penalty areas with many players. When they attack, they do so with great ferocity, and when they have to defend, they manage to put in an enormous spirit.”
The Ajax coach also highlighted the similarities between himself and Lazio manager Marco Baroni, both in terms of playing philosophy and background. “Yes, we’re both Tuscan,” Farioli continued. “And I too have paid my dues, albeit in different roles. I’m very pleased to measure myself against a coach like Baroni. There are many differences between the Italian and Dutch leagues, but also many similarities, because football is now globalized.”
When asked about the prospect of coaching in Italy one day, Farioli preferred to sidestep the question. However, he did comment on the controversial decision to ban Lazio fans from traveling to Amsterdam: “We experienced the same situation with our supporters for the match played against Real Sociedad. Initially, they were barred from traveling, but fortunately, the situation was resolved. My club has always had the utmost desire to host Lazio fans. I don’t know what happened, but we are very sorry they are not here.”
