Baroni calls for ‘best version’ of Lazio in Europa League clash with Nice | OneFootball

Lazio coach Marco Baroni wants his side to show both ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘balance’ as they prepare to take on Nice at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday in their second Europa League fixture.

The Biancocelesti bounced back after a stuttering start to the season marked by two Serie A losses and now hope to build on their two consecutive wins to keep piling points in the new expended Europa League group phase, following their 3-0 victory over Dinamo Kyiv in last week’s debut.

Baroni explained in a pre-match press conference that feeling ‘the pain for a defeat’ was key to improving, but also urged his side to show their ‘best version’ and learn to ‘handle the moments’, as he tries to manage the ‘mental and physical stress’ deriving from a tight game schedule.

Baroni wants best version of Lazio in Europa League’s clash against Nice

“Enthusiasm is one of the most important elements we need to have, the joy of coming to the training ground,” Baroni said at a press-conference, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.

“Balance is also crucial, we need to understand that we have to handle these moments. I like when a team feel the pain for a defeat, this helps you give your best, but we need to manage the moments.

“The performances and the work are two aspects which make you achieve results.

“I have players who work hard, my staff and I focus on managing these resources as playing all these games exposes them to physical and mental stress, which is the toughest to handle.

“We’ll change something, we need to look for energy and I have no doubt about the answers I’ll get. Whoever will be on the pitch will give his best.”

Lazio conceded as many as 10 goals from their first six Serie A matches and Baroni was asked whether such a defensive vulnerability could be further exposed against a prolific side like Nice.

“We need to work on this aspect, but my team are fourth for the least shots on target conceded and we are also fourth for the best team pressure,” Baroni added.

“These data suggest that we are working more and more on improving our defensive phase. We want to score, attack and shoot on goal, I’ve been saying this since my first press conference.

“We have the third-best attack and I think the team are having a good balance, we conceded 10 [Serie A] goals in six games, but many of them are the kind of goals we won’t concede anymore in the future.

“Tomorrow, we face a tough opponent who plays good football, with a 3-4-2-1 system often switching to a 3-4-3 and we’ll have a double width to handle. We’ll need the best version of Lazio.”