Lazio manager Marco Baroni faced the media following his team’s 2-1 loss to Udinese at the Buenergy Stadium, addressing the setback after their opening day victory against Venezia. Despite Gustav Isaksen’s late goal in the 94th minute, Lazio failed to salvage a point.
Baroni began by highlighting the team’s defensive frailties: “We conceded two bad goals, which also happened against Venezia early on. They are very physical, and it’s not easy. We need to improve on being more effective in both phases of the game. We made 48 entries into their box compared to their 13, but it’s not easy to turn the result around against such a physical team that was sitting deep.”
The coach emphasized the need for improvement in ball movement: “This should serve as a lesson, and we must improve on moving the ball more quickly.”
Addressing the controversial offside decision, Baroni said: “It’s difficult to protest. We shouldn’t stop; we’re positioned correctly, you can see it. As the assistant raises his flag, Romagnoli raises his arm, but you shouldn’t do that. You should continue the action. It’s a naivety that shouldn’t be committed. These are matches against teams where, if spaces are tight, it becomes difficult afterwards.”
On the performance of his attackers, Baroni noted: “Today we brought the ball out wide a lot. We need to improve on crossing. We made many crosses from the right, but on the left, having a player with an inverted foot, we struggle. Centrally it’s not easy. Dia has more ability to move between the lines, Dele-Bashiru needs to grow, but the team is aware of this, in improving ball mobility.”
Addressing the team’s predictability, he concluded: “This aspect is about that mobility. Today we had some difficulties in that situation against a team that was stretching us and kicking. They were going for the second ball a lot; I had prepared for the match in this aspect. Even in the first half, we had 3-4 opportunities to switch play.”
