After the 2-3 in Turin against Vanoli’s Granata and the 4-1 against Nice in the Europa League, the Lazio it closed a dream week on a high note. The opponent of the moment was Empoli, in a big farewell and still unbeaten in Serie A. An important test was needed to be able to open up unimaginable prospects at the beginning of the season and it has arrived. Maybe not in terms of play, but certainly in terms of Baroni’s character and ability to rely not only on 11 starters.
The match against D’Aversa’s Tuscans seemed like a classic “trap match” from the first minutes, with the opponents scoring at the first slip and then closing in on defense and hoping for some counterattack. A different script from the one imagined therefore, but it is precisely in cases like this that Lazio must demonstrate maturity by having a plan B. Baroni’s team, in fact, after the 0-1, attacked with their heads down, not letting themselves be too nervous and finding the 1-1 just a breath away from half-time. In the second half the missed penalty could have represented another blow on a psychological level, but also in this case the Biancocelesti brought out another weapon typical of teams that aim high: the alternatives that are up to the situation. One in particular, Pedro, a true Lazio deus ex machina in the league and in Europe. It is he who, a few minutes from the end, scores the 3-point goal. Very important victory, which must be followed by others if Baroni and his boys want to continue to amaze.
Baroni spoke proudly at the end of the match, but also with the awareness of being able and having to improve further: “We are ambitious, as is the club. We have to work and create a strong identity that we are creating, if you stop to look at the rankings it is a mistake. We like enthusiasm but we have to keep our feet on the ground, without losing the details of the little things.”