Yahoo Sports Baroni Optimistic About Lazio Star’s Recovery, Wants Same Approach Against Juventus
Lazio manager Marco Baroni previewed Saturday’s encounter against Juventus, and provided some positive updates on the condition of Matteo Guendouzi.
Guendouzi Itching to Recover for Juventus Clash
The Frenchman bruised his toe while on international duty, and although he avoided a fracture, he remains in doubt for the big clash in Turin. But in his pre-match press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Baroni appeared optimistic about his star midfielder who is keen to recover in time.
Guendouzi is feeling better. We’ll make the assessments over the next 24 hours. It seems to me that he could be available, albeit I’m not sure if he can start. The boy is very eager to take part which pleases me and the team.
Maintaining the Same Approach
On another note, the 61-year-old urged his team to maintain the same attacking approach despite facing one of the strongest squads in Europe.
We are going to face a strong team, the best defense in Europe. They have the most ball possession in Italy. They are consistent and compact. For us, these are the perfect matches to try to be competitive, it is an important test at the highest level. We must face it with awareness and personality. The beaty lies in the difficulty.
However, I don’t like to change. We have worked hard and prepared well. I like to have a strong identity, it is necessary to build a strong project. You have to have a belief to follow, beyond the opponent or the negative moments that come ensue along the way. It will be difficult, but the team will try to perform well.
Baroni Urges Lazio to Stay Humble
Lazio are currently riding a four-match winning streak across all competitions, but Baroni is keeping his feet on the ground.
Much credit goes to the team. I brought an idea, the team joined aboard. I’m now very down to earth. Keeping our feet on the ground is fundamental. I am happy for the team, but I have to stay anchored to the project and the objective.
Are we the surprise of the season? It’s too early to tell, we must remain balanced, on and off the pitch. An aspect that we must keep in everyday life, during the week, in the long run will lead us to achieve individual and team results.
Vecino Ready to Play
The manager also offered updates on his players who returned from international duty, while confirming Matias Vecino’s return from injury.
For the boys who have returned from the national team, it’s about recovering energy. Dele [Fisayo-Bashiru] suffered a bitter trip with Nigeria [getting stuck in the airport], so he missed training, but he’s young so he managed to recover his energy. Same thing for [Boulaye] Dia.
We’ll see [Samuel] Gigot soon, he’s already available, I think he can start in the Europa League. Vecino returned very quickly, it was a muscle fatigue, so he’s fine now.
Lazzari’s Recovering Swiftly
Finally, Baroni revealed that Manuel Lazzari is recovering faster than expected, and is confident of Adam Marusic’s ability to fill in for the Italian.
Lazzari is recovering quickly, he is already much better, so I am confident of a speedy recovery. Our staff is doing a great job, and his desire are accelarating it. But we have solutions at right-back, I am not worried. Adam is fine, he is a certainty for us.
