Marco Baroni is proud that Lazio ‘never stopped believing’ in their chances of beating FC Porto with a last-gasp Pedro strike to top the Europa League table. ‘We want to fuel this enthusiasm.’
The Biancocelesti had taken the lead at the Stadio Olimpico through Alessio Romagnoli’s header, cancelled out by Stephen Eustaquio, but a point was not enough for them and they continued to push.
At the 92nd minute, Pedro popped up to surprise the Porto defenders at the back post and secure a fourth consecutive victory.
“We are very happy, there is a great deal of enthusiasm and we want to fuel that with performances. This is what the team did against a very strong opponent, so I am satisfied,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.
“The lads deserve the credit because they never stopped believing. The substitutes came on with the right attitude, you just have to look at the tackle Luca Pellegrini went into within a minute of coming off the bench.
“This is what I like to see when I talk about this attitude, as when so many games are close together, the mind can freshen up the legs.
“I told the lads when games like this come along, how you got there matters and we had to go into it with great joy, satisfaction and ambition. I liked the mentality and also their way of understanding the different moments of the match. It is a deserved victory, certainly.”
Baroni and Lazio determined to get full points
Lazio might’ve been forgiven for being content to settle for a point against FC Porto, but Baroni was on the touchline visibly urging them to get the ball back in play as quickly as possible.
“I knew the team had to believe to the end. When I talk about mentality, character, that is all in there. This is a team that has to take a step forward rather than sit back, we were aggressive and pinned them back.”
See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.
Pedro is now 37 years old, but he is enjoying a whole new era to his career this season, already scoring six goals and providing two assists, including three in the Europa League.
“He can play 90 minutes, he’s in great shape. His mind is focused, he has confidence and when he trains the way that he does, he doesn’t feel his age. These signs have been coming since pre-season training,” assured Baroni.
It means Lazio are now the only team with a perfect record in the Europa League after four rounds, sitting on top of the table with 12 points, followed by Ajax, Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt, RSC Anderlecht and Athletic Club on 10.
They are already five points clear of the play-off places, so have almost guaranteed their automatic ticket to the Round of 16.
The opening goal was also important from a corner, with Taty Castellanos flicking it on for the Romagnoli header at the back post.
“Porto had studied us and knew that we tended to attack those spaces, so we made the most of the long ball instead,” explained Baroni.
“Taty is very good at those situations and dead ball scenarios are important to break down teams who are otherwise defensively well-organised. It is a resource that we are working on in training.”