Yahoo Sports Marco Baroni Expects Different Match in Napoli, Hails Lazio Outcast: “He Doesn’t Owe Us Anything”
Lazio coach Marco Baroni was pleased with his team’s display in the Coppa Italia victory over Napoli, but warns about a sterner next in their next meeting.
Both managers deployed heavily rotated lineups on Thursday, but Tijjani Noslin emerged as the ultimate star of the show by bagging a hat-trick that secured the Biancocelesti’s place in the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, the two sides will meet again in Naples for a Serie A contest on Sunday.
Sterner Test in Naples
In his post-match press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Baroni insisted that the league showdown will be comprehensively different from the Coppa Italia meeting, especially with Antonio Conte’s men primarily focused on winning the Scudetto title.
It will be a different match against Napoli on Sunday, but we really wanted that cup victory. It was important to get through. I liked how the team played with personality, pace, quality. We played a very good match in Parma, even better than against Bologna, although we couldn’t return home with the result. We must maintain this level.
Marco Baroni Praises Elseid Hysaj
The 61-year-old also heaped praise on Elseid Hysaj who put up a solid display at left-back in his first appearance of the season. The Albanian has been omitted from the Serie A and Europa League lists, but is eligible to play in the Coppa Italia.
I don’t like to talk about individuals, but I want to start with Hysaj and thank him. He doesn’t owe us anything, but he’s a player who always gives us a big hand in training. We can’t afford second strings, we want to try to get as far as possible with all the starters.
I also want to congratulate Tchaouna and Noslin. I know Tijjani well. He had a three-match suspension in the Europa League and he didn’t have continuity. He needs to play, he has energy and quality. The other ‘kid’ we have, Pedro, also brings us enthusiasm. Now we have difficult matches ahead of us but it will help us grow in terms of personality.
On Gaetano Castrovilli’ Return
Baroni is also happy to have Gaetano Castrovilli back following his meniscus surgery, and confirms Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will start on Sunday amidst the lack of options in midfield.
We’re happy for Castrovilli. Dealing with injuries is always tough. He’ll give us a hand as he’s got a lot of quality. Today he played twenty minutes, he moved well and I liked his display. He needs to find consistency. Dele-Bashiru will play in Naples, he’ll have to do much better because it’ll be even tougher.
