Baroni: ‘Criticism is part of the job' after Lazio pressure grows
Baroni: 'Criticism is part of the job' after Lazio pressure grows
Marco Baroni insists he is not under undue pressure from Lazio after a recent downturn in results, wanting his players to feel 'joy' against Torino. 'Criticism is part of the job.'
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
Advertisement
The Biancocelesti have slipped down the standings lately, managing only one victory in their last five Serie A games, fresh off a 5-0 defeat to Bologna.
Matias Vecino is suspended, with Taty Castellanos, Patric and Arijon Ibrahimovic out of action, plus Nuno Tavares carrying a muscular issue.
Following the heavy hammering to Bologna in what was a head-to-head for fourth place, director of sport Angelo Fabiani said the club was only 'moderately satisfied' with their coach, hinting his future might be in doubt.
'The club did not tell me anything,' insisted Baroni in his press conference.
'The President and I had lunch along with other people yesterday, we were together for 20 minutes. There is a daily meeting with the director, so nothing different. We are all concentrated on the next match.
Advertisement
'Criticism is part of the job and when it is objective, that can actually help us in our work. It is part of the growth process for everyone.'
Baroni has done better than expected at Lazio
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 16: SS Lazio head coach Marco Baroni during the Serie match between Lazio and Inter at Stadio Olimpico on December 16, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi –)
Lazio are still in the fight for a Champions League spot, as well as preparing for the Europa League quarter-final against Bodo/Glimt.
'We know full well that we have entered the most important part of the season, so we build on what we've done so far and will ensure we are ready,' added Baroni.
'The break for international duty was helpful, because there was some fatigue against Bologna, which was our seventh game in 20 days. Some lads will play over 60 games this season including international duty, so that must not be an alibi, but it has to be taken into account. I believe every difficulty also brings with it an opportunity.
Advertisement
'I could sit here and list many facts and figures, but they would seem like alibis and I don't want that. I prefer to boost the team's confidence. Victor on Monday is going to be fundamental, we know Torino have only lost one of their last 12 matches, so we need the best Lazio.'
Baroni always wants Lazio to enjoy their football and he reiterates that message after recent disappointing results.
'I have the experience to understand and deal with this situation, protecting the team. We must work aware of our journey and what we are going towards, but must never abandon our confidence and joy in facing these games.
'I never hide from reality, we must look it right in the eye without fear. That is what I mean when I talk about confidence, finding the determination, but also the joy of knowing we earned the opportunity to challenge for these targets,' concluded the coach.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
33 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Amid protests, questions loom about how active ICE will be at Club World Cup games
The Department of Homeland Security said border patrol agents will provide security for Saturday's FIFA Club World Cup opener between Inter Miami and Egyptian club Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. 'Let the games begin,' U.S. Customs and Border Protection wrote in a social media post Tuesday. 'The first FIFA Club World Cup games start on June 14 in Miami, FL at the Hard Rock Stadium. CBP will be suited and booted ready to provide security for the first round of games.' The post has since been deleted. But it included a reference to 'the first round of games,' suggesting immigration agents were not limiting their presence to the opening match. The month-long 32-team tournament includes six first-round games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, beginning with Sunday's match between Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain and Spain's Atlético Madrid. CPB agents, who operate under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security, do not primarily provide security at stadiums the same way local police or private security firms do, but they are often involved in security operations in the lead-up to major events, monitoring airspace or assisting with rapid response to emergencies. ICE officers, which also operate under the DHS umbrella, are primarily tasked with identifying and arresting individuals who violate U.S. immigration law. So the possibility that federal immigration officials will be on site at a major international soccer match less than a year before the World Cup returns to the U.S. figures to inflame an already tense situation. FIFA said it is collaborating with the Rose Bowl on security issues and the presence of CPB and ICE agents, while not anticipated, could not be ruled out. 'FIFA is working in collaboration with the stadium authorities and relevant government government agencies — be it local, federal and state — to implement a detailed safety and security plan for the stadiums involved in the Club World Cup,' said a FIFA source familiar with the situation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. Three other international matches will also be played in Southern California during the next five days in Inglewood and Carson, but officials at both those stadiums said federal agents will not be present. The CONCACAF Gold Cup will also kick off Saturday with Mexico playing the Dominican Republic at SoFi Stadium, but officials there said they have not changed their normal security procedures. A Gold Cup doubleheader involving Panama, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and Guatemala will follow at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson on June 16 and a stadium spokesperson said they will also be using their regular protocols, in addition to providing a public protest area on the stadium grounds. The civil unrest in Southern California was sparked by masked ICE officers executing immigration raids across the region. The ensuing protests led the Trump administration to send thousands of national guard troops and hundreds of U.S. Marines into city streets over the objections of L.A. mayor Karen Bass, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other local elected officials. No one at SoFi Stadium would speak on the record about security preparations for Saturday's CONCACAF Gold Cup opener featuring Mexico, which is expected to draw a crowd of more than 50,000. But one official with knowledge of the situation said the stadium is following 'normal procedures' and 'ICE is not part of those protocols.' SoFi Stadium's security and crowd management duties have traditionally been handled by local law enforcement authorities and Contemporary Services Corporation, a private security company whose yellow- and blue-clad workers have become ubiquitous at sports and entertainments across the country. The Mexican team was originally slated to stay in a downtown hotel ahead of the match in Inglewood, but it moved to Long Beach because of security concerns. Asked about the presence of ICE agents at Saturday's Club World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium, where last year's Copa América final was delayed more than an hour by fans rushing the entrances, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he did not see a problem with it despite the fact it figures to depress attendance for a game that was already struggling to sell tickets. 'We are very attentive on any security question,' Infantino said. 'Of course, the most important [thing] for us is to guarantee security for all the fans who come to the games. This is our priority. This is the priority of all the authorities who are here. 'And we want everyone who comes to the games to pass a good moment.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan Set Sights On Lazio Midfielder Amid Tempting Offers From Saudi Arabia For Turkey Captain
Report – Inter Milan Set Sights On Lazio Midfielder Amid Tempting Offers From Saudi Arabia For Turkey Captain Inter Milan may lose Hakan Calhanoglu this summer, with Nicolo Rovella emerging as a top candidate to fill the vacancy. According to Sport Mediaset, the Turkey captain has generated genuine interest from the Saudi Pro League. Advertisement Despite renewing his contract at San Siro two years ago, Hakan Calhanoglu could quit Serie A in the coming months. Indeed, several Saudi clubs are contemplating summer offers for the 31-year-old, whose deal at Inter runs out in 2027. Therefore, the Nerazzurri must prepare for a worst-case scenario. Inter Milan Line Up Nicolo Rovella as Hakan Calhanoglu Heir Amid Saudi Links ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Nicolò Rovella of SS Lazio celebrate s a victory after the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico on November 24, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi –) Calhanoglu turned down Bayern Munich's approach last summer. However, things could change this time, with wealthy Saudi clubs ready to table lucrative offers that may prove too tempting to resist. Though Inter would ideally keep hold of the ex-AC Milan star, they cannot afford to take anything for granted. Advertisement As a result, the 20-time Italian champions have already prepared Plan B. Lazio ace Nicolo Rovella has caught Inter's eye after an impressive season at Stadio Olimpico. Yet, the 23-year-old won't come cheap, considering he has a substantial €50 million release clause.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Club World Cup: Jack Grealish left out of Man City squad
MIAMI (AP) — Jack Grealish has been left out of Manchester City's squad for the Club World Cup. City manager Pep Guardiola named a 27-man squad for the tournament, which kicks off in Miami on Saturday, with Grealish a notable omission. Advertisement The England forward was a British record signing when he moved to City from Aston Villa for 100 million pounds ($139 million then) in 2021 and went on to help the club win three Premier League titles, the Champions League and a host of other trophies. But he has become an increasingly peripheral figure and made only seven league starts last season. The 29-year-old Grealish's absence from the Club World Cup will add to the growing expectation that he will leave during the offseason, with Guardiola embarking on a squad rebuild following the team's first trophyless season in eight years. City's squad includes four new players signed in time to take part in the month-long tournament in the United States: Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli. Advertisement In January, City also spent big to sign Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis as Guardiola began his overhaul of a squad that saw its dominance of English soccer broken by Liverpool last season. If Grealish goes, he is likely to be one of a number of players to move on. Kevin De Bruyne is leaving at the end of his contract this month and Kyle Walker is also likely to go after a loan move to AC Milan in January; as expected, neither player was in the squad. City's first match at the 32-team tournament is against Wydad Casablanca next Wednesday in Philadelphia. The other teams in the group are Juventus and Abu Dhabi's Al Ain. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer: James Robson, The Associated Press
