Lazio coach Marco Baroni insists he will “hold my optimism” after the chaotic 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina and refuses to use the Europa League stump as an “alibi”.
It was a nightmare start at the Stadio Olimpico for the Aquile, fresh from Thursday’s 3-1 Europa League win over Real Sociedad.
Yacine Adli volleyed in the opener and Lucas Beltran was unmarked for a header at the far post to give Fiorentina a 2-0 lead on 17 minutes.
Despite dominating possession, the Biancocelesti hardly ever managed a shot on target before Adam Marusic’s header in injury time, then came close to the equalizer with David De Gea’s save on Marusic and Pedro out of the rising with the last kick of the match.
Baroni saw a good response from Lazio
“It’s a shame because we gave away two avoidable goals early on, but I’ll hang on to the second half performance. We had chances that we didn’t take, but the team played with determination, created opportunities and we are certainly sad with the result, but these are situations that must make us stronger,” Baroni said at DAZN.
“I saw the good mentality and even the quality in the second half, so we have to build on that.”
On Beltran’s goal, Dodo lifted a cross from the sideline to find Beltran completely unmarked for the header.
“We were caught looking at the ball and not keeping track of our marking. When I said they were avoidable goals, it’s not easy to get back on track, but the team had the right attitude after the restart against a Fiorentina team who sat deep and knew how to waste time,” added Baroni.
-Lazio are assured of a place in the Europa League last 16, but in Serie A they are now just two points ahead of Juventus and three ahead of Fiorentina, with the Viola still having a game in hand .
Is it perhaps a coincidence that they struggled recently in the first league game straight after a European encounter?
“It’s something we need to improve on, because it’s wonderful to play in Europe and I don’t want that to be used as an alibi. I want us to go as far as possible and that means a lot more games. We just need to be more focused and pay attention to detail because we concede goals without the opposition having to work as hard to create chances.
“I prefer to keep my optimism and the second half was excellent in every way, I took a look at the statistics, we created so much. I don’t like to talk about luck, but with a little more acumen, we could have put this match back on track.
It was a chaotic final with Adli sent off the bench after his substitution for time wasting and unsportsmanlike behavior, then both coaches also saw red for dissent.
“I just wanted there to be more playing time for all that time wasting, which was constant. I thought it harmed the spectacle of sport, that’s all,” concluded the Lazio coach.
