Baroni ‘mortified’ after Lazio fail to qualify for Europe | OneFootball

The tension at Lazio is sky high after they crashed out of the European places altogether, pelted with insults after defeat to 10-man Lecce. ‘I am mortified,’ said coach Marco Baroni.

There had been high hopes going into the Stadio Olimpico for the final 90 minutes of the campaign, as they were in sixth place and within reach of both Juventus in fourth and rivals Roma in fifth.

However, the shocking 1-0 home defeat to a Lecce side who were down to 10 men for the entire second half saw them leapfrogged by Fiorentina, who won 3-2 away to Udinese, due to an inferior head-to-head record.

epa12135683 Lecce�s players and staff celebrate after the Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio and US Lecce at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 25 May 2025. EPA-EFE/Riccardo Antimiani

It means Lazio will not participate in any UEFA competition next season, finishing seventh in the Serie A table.

At the final whistle, the crowd pelted the players with insults and waved for them to leave rather than stand under the Curva Nord for the traditional salute.

Calciomercato.it report that veterans Mattia Zaccagni and Pedro insisted on staying anyway, receiving bitter criticism from the ultras.

Baroni future at Lazio now in doubt

ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: Marco Baroni, Head Coach of Lazio, looks on prior to the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on May 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

It also remains to be seen how this result affects the future of coach Baroni, because while Lazio had started the season so well and topped the Europa League table, things collapsed in recent months.

The Biancocelesti have not won a home fixture since February 9.

“I am mortified for our fans and for the team, because they did not deserve to end the season like this,” Baroni told DAZN and Sky Sport Italia.

“Unfortunately, I had warned them about that, as the final image is the one that remains. I saw some players who were already thinking about going on vacation from tomorrow.

“It is a pity, as the team had grown over the season and achieved an identity, but we ruined that with these last few performances.

“Anything I say right now will seem like seeking an alibi and I don’t want to do that. We had 42 points in the first half of the season.”

Is there something Baroni wants from Lazio for next term to strengthen the squad or does he fear losing more players?

“Our first half performance was so sluggish, we practically scored the goal against us with mistakes. It’s disappointing. Now there will be time to meet with the club. At this moment, I just feel great pain over this defeat, then from next week we’ll find the moment to be calm and analyse it with the club.”