Lazio Braced for Four Crucial Fixtures as Marco Baroni’s Fate Hangs in the Balance | OneFootball

Lazio head coach Marco Baroni is no longer enjoying the same sense of security he had during the earlier part of the season.

Marco Baroni Had a Splendid Start to Lazio Tenure

The 61-year-old had a brilliant start to his first campaign at Formello. At one point in December, the Biancocelesti were only three points away from the league leaders Atalanta, and they had beaten Napoli in back-to-back fixtures between Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Moreover, they were sweeping past opponents in the Europa League group stage.

Baroni & Lazio Lost the Plot

But sadly for the Aquile, they have been on a downward spiral in recent months. They have already exited the Coppa Italia after suffering defeat at the hands of Inter Milan. In the Europa League, they only managed to scrape past Viktoria Plzen in the Round of 16. Most importantly, they have been sliding away from the Champions League zone in the league, currently residing in 6th place.

The Gauntlet Begins with Atalanta

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Baroni’s future in the capital could hinge on the outcome of the club’s next four fixtures. The Aquile will begin the gauntlet with a tricky trip to Bergamo this weekend to take on Atalanta in a direct Champions League clash.

Roma Derby & Two Europa League Fixtures

This will be followed by a special edition of the Derby della Capital, as Lazio and Roma are currently on par in points, so they’re both embroiled in the battle for European spots. Between the battles against Atalanta and Roma, Baroni’s men will travel to Norway for the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals against Bodo/Glimt, before hosting the second leg a week later.

Marco Baroni Must Immediately Steady the Ship

As the pink newspaper explains, if Lazio fail to pass these crucial tests, Baroni could pay the ultimate price at the end of what promised to be a prosperous season for the club, but risks decaying into a forgettable one in a rather short span of time.