A dismal afternoon for Lazio saw them thrashed 5-0 at the Dall’Ara, a match that surely left a mark on their season. Marco Baroni shared his insights post-match, saying, “We ran out of steam; Bologna were simply too much for us today. This feels like the end of a tough cycle: they’re in fantastic shape physically, while we seemed to be on the back foot regarding luck. However, I’m not overly worried; I know this team and the lads involved.” He also addressed the fans after the game, explaining, “We went to apologise, and I took full responsibility for the defeat.”
This direct clash turned out to be one to forget for Lazio, as they faced a commanding Bologna side, resulting in a humbling loss. The biancocelesti were unbeaten in their previous six league matches and had progressed in the Europa League, but this heavy defeat clearly took its toll. Baroni remarked, “We were in it during the first half, but after they scored, it felt like they were two steps ahead of us. It’s difficult; mentally we cracked upon realising we couldn’t turn it around. Bologna put in a stunning performance, and we paid dearly for our fatigue. Our travels have left us breathless, but we can't use that as an excuse. I know my players: today, Bologna were simply better; they were sharper and more alert. Facing an opponent that makes few mistakes complicates things further. We were also a bit unlucky with incidents, like with Marusic and Zaccagni. I regret the mental collapse, but it’s understandable after such a tough run.”
Looking ahead, Baroni added, “Isaksen was fatigued; we had a few niggles, and some players were at risk of injury. I’d rather lose a match than lose players. Mental fatigue set in as our energy waned. But I’m reassured by knowing my team; some will head for international duty, and the rest will recover.” Addressing the fans at the end of the match, he concluded, “They came out in support, and I expressed my apologies, taking responsibility for the loss. Now, we’ll take a breather and approach the upcoming games one at a time, treating each as if it were the final match.”
Check out the highlights from Bologna vs. Lazio here.
