Marco Baroni Explains Why Lazio Struggled in Venezia, Confirms Goalkeepers Hierarchy

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The Laziali

·22. Februar 2025

Marco Baroni Explains Why Lazio Struggled in Venezia, Confirms Goalkeepers Hierarchy

Lazio coach Marco Baroni offered an explanation for his team’s dull showing in the stalemate against Venezia.

Lazio Fire Blank in Venezia

The Biancocelesti returned to Rome with only one point to show from their Venetian trip. Aside from the disappointing result, the team put on an under-par performance, as the Laguanri were actually the closer side to find a winner, especially in the 20 minutes.

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Venezia Shut Down All Spaces

In his post-match press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Baroni rendered the team’s feeble display to Venezia’s style of play as well as the relatively small pitch that deprived them of finding the spaces they like to operate within.

We are disappointed with the result, it is a missed opportunity. However, we found a very vehement opponent, it was a dirty game, they didn’t allow us to get into our rhythm, but we were a bit dull offensively. We had a great chance with Dia, if it had gone in maybe we would be commenting on another match. The team showed great solidity though. We are not a physical team, so it’s normal for us to struggle in this type of match at a small pitch and with big pressure, We just needed one big chance. We found it, but didn’t make the most out of it. For me, that was all that was missing. Just a bit of rhythm offensively. We have to recover energy, in two days we return to the pitch in a competition that we care about (the Coppa Italia).

The Goalkeepers’s Pecking Order

Baroni was naturally asked about the pecking order in the goalkeepers’ department following his decision to drop Ivan Provedel for Christos Mandas. The manager insisted the Italian custodian remains Lazio’s Number One.

In terms of rotation, I think it is functional in recovering energy, both physical and mental. I repeat: Provedel remains the starting goalkeeper. I make the choices, I have certainly spoken with Provedel as I do with everyone else. The objective is to let him recover and field him again.

Reda Belahyane Enjoys Decent Lazio Debut

The Lazio boss was pleased with Reda Belahyane who made his debut off the bench following Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s injury in the first half.

Fisayo performs best when there is space. There wasn’t any today. Venezia alternated high tackles with a very low defence, there was a lot of pressure. This team has always worked with a 4-2-3-1, we were missing Rovella (for suspension) who is a fundamental player for us. I’m happy with the debut of Reda who played an orderly game. I have to ease the pressure on Noslin a bit, he has to stay calm and work. Castellanos is our center forward, but I have great faith in all the men in my team.