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11.45am – At 12 o’clock there will be a press conference to present the new Biancoceleste coach Mark Baroni from the press room of the Formello sports center. Follow the live text on TUTTOmercatoWEB
12.33 – Marco Baroni’s press conference has begun, with President Claudio Lotito also present in the press room.
President Lotito introduces coach Marco Baroni: “It’s an opportunity to take stock of the situation and dispel a series of considerations that don’t correspond to the reality that I read in the newspapers and hear on the radio. Lazio isn’t downsizing, it’s reorganizing, trying to valorize merit. The choice of coach Baroni is a thought-out, desired choice based on the technical evaluation of the quality of the person and on the project that Lazio intends to undertake on a team that will be based on physical strength and running. Football has changed, in the past we looked for flags but now flags aren’t seen in other teams. I was one of the few who wanted to maintain some fixed points, but then the players’ choices were different and not linked to discussions with the club, but individual choices that are not linked to affection for the white and blue jersey. We are basing ourselves on a coach who doesn’t chase theories, those who deserve play, those who don’t deserve don’t play, and a player doesn’t just play for the name he has, he earns his place on the pitch. This is the philosophy and this lack of application has led to the removal of two coaches, and I want to underline that there have been no problems with the club, on the contrary they have underlined how the players must put themselves at the service of the club. Merit must be rewarded, players of the past like Di Natale at Udinese who refused any offer, today football has changed, the attachment to the shirt is lacking for economic interests. We want to bring back an organized, efficient and proactive team, that puts on a show where the players take to the field to demonstrate their commitment with the sweaty shirt, something that has not happened in the past. Lazio has not failed, it is in the Europa League and has lost to the less equipped teams, there is no problem with the team’s potential, but with the dressing room, the head and the ability to question oneself. This led to the resignation of Sarri first and then of Tudor, also in light of a banner that was displayed and that does not do honor to whoever suggested it. We want to bring Lazio’s interest back to the center of our project, whoever wants to stay can do so, whoever doesn’t want to can leave but on Lazio’s terms. We want to send those who deserve it onto the field, if they’re good they take the field, if they’re not good they don’t take the field. We’ve taken players after a choice that was thought out and supported by the coach, players who have physical strength and the desire to do well. You didn’t even know who some players were, now a recurring name has come up that we didn’t take due to a 20-minute mix-up (Greenwood, ed.). In life, however, there are as many players, directors and coaches as you want, presidents are missing. In Marco Baroni we’ve found a person of exceptional moral qualities, the results speak for Baroni. It should have been the golden bench, he earned it on the field with Lecce and Verona, he didn’t have the fortune of showing off on another stage and today he has it. Those who deserve it play and those who are capable of making the difference, those who aren’t capable don’t play. For the market, contrary to what some have written, Lazio did not spend 30 million but 40 because there is also VAT plus commissions, we work based on what we need. Lazio will work to build a competitive team, it was already competitive last year but it was not at the dressing room level and the proof is the farewell of some players who have decided to abandon ship. The players have shown that they can last about 3 years in a club, we believed that the flags could still exist. I am only sorry for Felipe Anderson, we made a very competitive offer, he also recognized it, but he made a life choice and decided to return to live in Brazil”.
Mister Marco Baroni takes the floor.
What should his Lazio be like?
“We have to start working hard right away, I know I’m inheriting a team that has a culture of work. We’ll just have to step it up even more. One of the important aspects is linked to values, I’ve brought it to all my teams and for me it’s fundamental. This makes the difference in the little things and this aspect is linked to the Lazio spirit, I want to see this right away. There’s no time in football, we have to work immediately on dedication, passion and stick to work. When a team goes on the pitch and shows those who watch it these components of compactness, balance, work and quality, the most important piece has already been done”.
What did you feel when you received the call from Lazio?
“I’m happy, it’s the highest point of my career and there’s awareness of this. There’s a desire to work, to feel the challenge. I’m a coach who loves challenges, I want a team ready to attack, my team must not play for itself but for the people”.
What do you bring from Verona to this experience in Rome?
“I’ve always had a principle since I played, either I win or I learn. The experience in Verona was beautiful, in life you have many ways to face a difficulty, but for me it’s an opportunity. The transformation that happened was the best moment, we carry with us an important experience but we know that here everything is different. I know I have to play a different kind of football, there is quality, important players who made history have left, but we have taken young guys who will have to leave with enthusiasm, courage and balance. I want the team to play football that excites”.
What do you think about the market? What is missing from this squad?
“I never look at what is missing, but at what I have. Young players have arrived, the president’s words were pleasing, this rejuvenation is linked to the football we want to propose. I always put the player at the center of the project, my task and that of the staff will be to take the athlete and enhance his characteristics within the collective. The word collective is fundamental, the value of each individual player never makes the value of the collective. Our individual and team growth must be there”.
Have you set a goal with the club? Do you intend to start with 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1?
“The system will certainly be a four-man defense with a double winger, within this there will be possible variables. From there, however, we will not move, then it is clear that this is only the system, then there is the most important part with the team that must have compactness, balance and ferocity. We must go and take on the opponents, I like dynamic and fast-paced football. It is clear that I always start from the team and from the work to create an objective, the objective is to certainly improve on last year’s championship, we have 47 games, the primary objective is to play many more. We will play more than 5000 minutes, the whole team will be needed, every player must play every minute at their best”.
What can the players who have made Lazio’s recent history and who have remained give?
“They can give a lot, we are not talking about senators. I spoke about culture, this team has culture. The integration between the new players will be fundamental, but the primary thing is the presence of important players, I greeted them today, I saw eager people. This is what interests me, I am interested in bringing a climate of trust and joy in work to the field. These are the most important things, when you train hard you have a sense of work and sacrifice, you play as you train. This is the challenge with the team”.
Gasperini valued his work, did he perceive a change in him after these words? Can Dele-Bashiru play in the three midfielders?
“I refer to Gasperini’s words that pleased me, but let’s stick to the meaning of his words. Often a coach is evaluated for a trophy, but a coach wins and there are coaches who win in their objective which can be salvation. This was the message, then I am pleased because there is mutual respect but I don’t think it was referring only to my name but to the coaches who together with the staff, the players and the fans achieve this objective. Forgive me, I don’t want to talk about individual players. We have chosen and evaluated players for their qualities and I have to make them fit into our schemes thanks to the work of the staff, then the player is always put at the center. There must be great knowledge right away to try to make the individual player express himself at his best”.
Did you expect to have an opportunity like this before?
“I never look back, I always look forward. I carry my experience behind me, but what was done yesterday is already in the past. My attention is focused on today, my first and only thought is Lazio. Then it is clear that everyone carries their own experience, but we are all ready for this wonderful opportunity”.