Lazio's Commitment to Fans Shines in Bologna

IN BOLOGNA - As the final whistle blew at the shooting range, Marusic trudged towards the Curva housing 3,000 Lazio supporters, his stride imbued with the inevitability of the moment. The fans yearned for a galvanising exchange. Here, the Montenegrin was the stand-in captain, having taken on the armband following Zaccagni's departure. He was quickly joined by his teammates, with Zaccagni in tow.

Baroni, stepping to the forefront, began engaging with the fans while a huddle formed beneath the Lazio sector. Never before had an entrenador faced such a confrontation: “The responsibility lies with me,” Baroni asserted, locking eyes with the supporters, “the players bear no fault. I apologise.” This refrain echoed multiple times. He pressed a hand to his heart, then extended both arms in a gesture of contrition, elevating the weight of his words. He deftly soothed the frustration and anger of the fans, who admirably transformed their sentiments into applause. Their flags remained unfurled, even as the scoreline read 5-0.

In a press conference following the match, Baroni recounted the episode, capturing the moment that had flooded social media through clips captured from the Curva: “I always stand in front of my team. Our supporters have rallied behind us, offering words of encouragement. I've taken on the responsibility, and they demand we give our all until the end. I’ve always done that; they’ve shown up in droves in Bologna, never wavering in their support. I had to face the music as I always do. We know we must treat every game like a final.”

Patric, one of the seasoned veterans, felt compelled to share a message: “To all the fans present in Bologna: even today, you did not fail to support us. At the end of the match, despite the scoreline, you gave us calm and motivation for the upcoming battles. You’ve moved us once more. Thank you for your words.”