Baroni: ‘Lazio must attack and keep identity’ against Inter | OneFootball

Lazio coach Marco Baroni explains why he chose Pedro to start against Inter in tonight’s clash. ‘We could’ve put a midfielder there, but this side needs to attack and play its football.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Aquile are on spectacular form at the moment in Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Europa League, having won 14 of their last 17 competitive games.

They head into this match level with Inter on 31 points, although the Nerazzurri do have a game in hand in this tournament.

“There are no secrets, I arrived to find a squad that was dedicated to work from the start. We brought our ideas, the lads believe in what we are doing and there’s a long road ahead, but the team is taking on a strong identity,” Baroni told DAZN.

Baroni outlines Lazio identity

epa11708475 SS Lazio’s Pedro Rodriguez in action during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between SS Lazio and FC Porto, in Rome, Italy, 07 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ETTORE FERRARI

With Taty Castellanos suspended, Tijjani Noslin starts as the centre-forward, but the big shift is Pedro used as trequartista flanked by Mattia Zaccagni and Gustav Isaksen. Is the veteran Spaniard used also to keep Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu busy doing defensive work?

“It is a top level game, so I told the team we’ve got to give our all in terms of focus, dedication, unity. The choice of the player between the lines is to keep our identity,” explained Baroni.

“We could’ve also put a midfielder there, but I think this side needs to attack and play its football, even against the strongest of opponents.

“It is precisely because the level of the game is so high that it’s right the team plays with its identity and usual approach. We need everyone to work together and also to lift their performances as individuals.”

Considering their form, does Baroni believe that Lazio can achieve a top four finish and Champions League qualification?

“Our objective was to improve from last season. We are all ambitious here, the players, coach, club and fans, but we need to focus on our own path.

“We glanced up, we saw the table, but we’ve got to keep working and believing in ourselves with this enthusiasm, which represents an extraordinary resource for us.”