{"id":6964,"date":"2025-01-26T22:22:28","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T22:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/baroni-lazio-optimistic-and-europa-league-not-an-alibi-after-2-1-defeat\/"},"modified":"2025-01-26T22:22:28","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T22:22:28","slug":"baroni-lazio-optimistic-and-europa-league-not-an-alibi-after-2-1-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/baroni-lazio-optimistic-and-europa-league-not-an-alibi-after-2-1-defeat\/","title":{"rendered":"Baroni: ‘Lazio optimistic and Europa League not an alibi’ after 2-1 defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"ROME,<\/picture><\/div>\n

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 26: SS Lazio head coach Marco Baroni during the Serie match between Lazio and Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on January 26, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Lazio coach Marco Baroni insists he will \u2018retain my optimism\u2019 after the chaotic 2-1 home defeat to Fiorentina and refuses to use the Europa League strain as \u2018an alibi.\u2019<\/p>\n

It was a nightmare start at the Stadio Olimpico for the Aquile, who were fresh from Thursday\u2019s 3-1 Europa League victory here against Real Sociedad.<\/p>\n

Yacine Adli volleyed in the opener and Lucas Beltran was left unmarked for a header at the back post to give Fiorentina a 2-0 lead within 17 minutes.<\/p>\n

Despite dominating possession, the Biancocelesti hardly ever got a shot on target until after the Adam Marusic header in added time, then came so close to the equaliser with David De Gea\u2019s save on Marusic and Pedro off the upright with the last kick of the game.<\/p>\n

Baroni saw a good response from Lazio<\/h2>\n
\"epa11855584
epa11855584 Lazio\u0092s players argue with referee Antonio Rapuano during the Italian Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio vs ACF Fiorentina at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 26 January 2025. EPA-EFE\/GIUSEPPE LAMI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pity, because we allowed two avoidable goals early on, but I will hold on tight to the second half performance. We had chances that we didn\u2019t take, but the team played with determination, created opportunities, and we are certainly sad at the result, but these are situations that must make us stronger,\u201d Baroni told DAZN.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the right mentality and even quality in the second half, so we need to build on that.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the Beltran goal, Dodo stood up a cross from the by-line to find Beltran totally unmarked for the header.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were caught ball-watching and not keeping the reference points of our marking. When I said those were avoidable goals, it is not easy to then get back on track, but the team had the right attitude after the restart against a Fiorentina side that sat deep and knew how to waste time,\u201d added Baroni.<\/p>\n

Lazio are guaranteed a place in the Europa League Round of 16, but in Serie A they are now only two points clear of Juventus and three ahead of Fiorentina, with the Viola still having a game in hand.<\/p>\n

Is it perhaps a coincidence that they have struggled recently in the first league match straight after a European fixture?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is something we need to improve, because it is wonderful to play in Europe and I don\u2019t want it used as an alibi. I want us to go as far as possible and that means many more games. We just need to be more focused and attentive to the details, because we are conceding goals without the opponents having to work that hard to create the chances.<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer to hold on to my optimism and the second half was excellent in every sense, I had a glance at the statistics, we created so much. I don\u2019t like to talk about good luck, but with a little more sharpness, we could\u2019ve got this game back on track.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a chaotic finale with Adli sent off from the bench after his substitution for time-wasting and unsporting behaviour, then both coaches also saw red for dissent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted there to be more playing time for all the time-wasting, which was constant. I thought it was damaging to the spectacle of the sport, that is all,\u201d concluded the Lazio coach.<\/p>\n