Baroni: ‘Lazio focus on Ajax with enthusiasm and joy’ | OneFootball

Marco Baroni insists he is not distracted by the upcoming Inter clash, as Lazio will instead focus on Ajax in the Europa League with ‘the utmost enthusiasm and joy.’

It kicks off at the Amsterdam ArenA at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Roma-Braga and Fiorentina-LASK on the Liveblog.

More squad rotation than usual was expected this evening from Baroni, because they have a huge Serie A showdown with Inter coming up on Monday.

However, as Taty Castellanos is suspended for that fixture, he starts tonight.

“No, we are focusing only on tonight,” Baroni insisted on Sky Sport Italia.

“There is a great atmosphere and this is a game of a very high level. When there are matches like this, we can only face them with the utmost enthusiasm and joy. We work to participate in fixtures like this.

“Ajax are a side who work well on the wings and their full-backs are very active. They develop good football, so it is going to be a difficult match and we need the best version of Lazio. I am confident the lads won’t have the wrong approach.”

Baroni and Lazio shine in Europa League

epa11746028 Pedro of Lazio (R) and Aslak Fonn Witry Of Ludogorets (L) in action during the UEFA Europa League match between SS Lazio and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 28 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

The Biancocelesti need a victory to keep hold of top spot in the Europa League table, but are still smarting after the controversial 0-0 draw with Ludogorets ended their 100 per cent record.

That’s because they were denied a clear penalty, which the referee did not give even after being recalled to the touchline for a VAR On-Field Review.

Matteo Guendouzi is rested and Matias Vecino injured, so Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is starting in a deeper midfield role.

“Playing in a two-man defence suits him better, it gives him more organisation,” explained Baroni.

“He has strength and quality, he can be devastating if starting runs from deep, so we are working on that. He just has to learn how to stay in the game minute by minute. I wanted to give him another chance, these are games that can help him to grow.”

Lazio are on sparkling form in Serie A, winning their last eight on the bounce and knocking Napoli out of the Coppa Italia too.