PLZEN, CZECH REPUBLIC – MARCH 06: SS Lazio head coach Marco Baroni during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg match between FC Viktoria Plzen and S.S. Lazio at Stadion mesta Plzne on March 06, 2025 in Plzen, Czech Republic. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Lazio coach Marco Baroni insists the Biancocelesti put in a ‘high-level’ performance against Viktoria Plzen and deserved to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals.
Lazio’s 1-1 home draw against Viktoria on Thursday allowed the Biancocelesti to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Baroni: ‘High-level’ Lazio performance for Europa League quarter-finals
“The team still played a high-level match. At this point, difficulties are inevitable,” Baroni told Sky Sport via TMW.
“Viktoria pressed aggressively and put pressure on the ball carriers. I’ve watched many of their games. In my opinion, Lazio showed determination and created chances. This team is built to play with rhythm and speed. Congratulations to everyone, from the players to our fans. We also got Castellanos back, and Vecino made an important contribution.”
Lazio are also fighting for a Champions League spot in Serie A. With ten games remaining, they are just one point below fourth-placed Juventus.
“When you play at this level, the mind must lead the body,” Baroni argued.
“If you’re playing every three days, it means you’re having a good season. You work on the pitch, and you work off it as well. I don’t like hearing about fatigue. I walked into the locker room and immediately told the boys to focus on the game against Bologna and to recover their energy.”
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