Baroni: ‘Lazio must continue to attack rather than defend’ | OneFootball

Marco Baroni insists Lazio must continue to see ‘attack as the best form of defence’ following their 3-0 win over Genoa, while Pedro ‘trains like someone 10 years younger.’

The Biancocelesti eventually won 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, although the Tijjani Noslin goal was only followed late on by Pedro and Matias Vecino to round out the scoreline.

It was their sixth victory in the last seven competitive games, interrupted only by the 1-0 defeat to Juventus when down to 10 men.

“I am pleased with the three goals, especially as Noslin hadn’t started for a while and there were two off the bench. This confirms our philosophy that everyone must make their contribution,” Baroni told DAZN and the media in a press conference.

“The goal was similar to the kind Noslin scores in training, so I know his potential and how much more he can do.

“I asked for character and maturity, and I saw that today. Thank you also to the fans, who were extraordinary. In every game, we challenge ourselves anew. We are ambitious and I am ambitious, so if we want to achieve something, we must keep the bar high.”

Baroni has ambitious ideas for Lazio

epa11687206 Genoa’s Alessandro Vogliacco in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 27 October 2024. EPA-EFE/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI

The former Verona coach made a brave statement on his tactical approach when asked about the 4-2-3-1 formation.

“Positional football is over, we need to make functional movement. The lads believe in this and are working on this approach. I am fuelled by emotion and excitement, so I always said I want a team that excites people, the families and children in the stands,” continued Baroni.

“Attack is the best form of defence and we have the characteristics to do that. We also don’t actually allow that many shots on goal against us, which means it is working.

“There will be negative moments, but when we give our all on the pitch, we can face every challenge the right way. The team is getting that message and the people are seeing it too.”

Lazio were forced into a change this afternoon, because Mattia Zaccagni was not even fit for the bench after coming down with flu symptoms.

Instead, Boulaye Dia was used in a trequartista role flanked by Noslin and Gustav Isaksen.

“We weren’t incisive enough in the first half, as we struggled to find Dia between the lines. Genoa had very tight lines and we couldn’t move the ball around fast enough. The team showed maturity in keeping patient and finding their way through.”

Pedro came off the bench and the 37-year-old scored yet again, while two of the three goals were assisted by Nuno Tavares.

“I am not surprised by Pedro, as he trains so hard and is in such good shape, he’s just extraordinary. He trains like someone 10 years younger,” assured Baroni.