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Lazio coach Marco Baroni spoke a short while ago in a press conference at the end of the match against Parma, which ended 2-2 at the Olimpico Stadium.

Lazio coach Marco Baroni spoke a short while ago in a press conference at the end of the match against Parma, which ended 2-2 at the Olimpico Stadium. Among the topics discussed were fatigue from the many matches played, excessive nervousness, and a message to the fans.

MARCO BARONI GIVES THE OK SIGN (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

Lazio, Baroni: “We are sorry for everyone, for our fans, but we are aware that we are still in the race and we won’t give up.”

Lazio coach Marco Baroni spoke a short while ago in a press conference at the end of the match against Parma, which ended 2-2 at the Olimpico Stadium. Among the topics discussed were fatigue from the many matches played, excessive nervousness, and a message to the fans.

Two clean sheets in 18 home games. Why does Lazio struggle so much?
“I have never looked for excuses, and I’m not looking for them today. This is our 48th game, we have young players who have never played at such a high level. We suffer terribly against teams that stretch us with the goalkeeper’s long kick, which had 7 minutes of possession. We shouldn’t go behind after three minutes and concede the second goal in the first minute of the second half. We were anxious in the first half, and I told the team, we knew we were coming from many matches of high energy and mental expenditure. We are sorry for everyone, for our fans, but we are aware that we are still in the race and we won’t give up. The final half-hour is proof that this team doesn’t give up and won’t until the end.”

How do you explain this nervousness?
“I am fierce in the analysis; this team lacks solidity because it’s our way of playing. We have positives and shortcomings that we need to try to eliminate. Conceding a goal like that on the first attack because their goalkeeper kicked a missile while we were pressuring is not good, we should have defended this play better, and we had prepared for it. The second goal would have killed anyone, but not us. Pedro came on well, Vecino came on well, we raised the tempo against a team playing 5-3-2 with a very low line. It requires speed and technical clarity, and in this, we struggled. We made many mistakes, we let ourselves be carried away by the anxiety of getting back into the game. I am very sorry, but we are on a path, and we will be there together until the end. No one gives us anything, but we are here.”

What message of hope would you send to Lazio fans?
“I am fully committed to this adventure. We are sorry, but there are still games to play. Roma is doing extraordinary things in terms of points, but we are here, and we want to be present until the end. Then we will see where we will plant our flag.”