Baroni: ‘Lazio need everyone to step up’ in difficult Atalanta test

epa11898864 Lazio’s head coach Marco Baroni reacts during the Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 15 February 2025. EPA-EFE/Riccardo Antimiani

Lazio coach Marco Baroni explains his big changes to the starting XI against Atalanta in this showdown for European ambition. ‘I have faith in all my players, it is the moment for everyone to step up.’

It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

It has been a difficult few weeks for the Aquile, who have won only two of their last nine competitive matches and slipped down to eighth place in Serie A, but still only four points adrift of those Coppa Campioni spots.

The humiliating 5-0 defeat at Bologna was followed by a 1-1 draw with Torino, so the pressure is on in Bergamo.

Baroni looking for a Lazio reaction

“It’s normal that our mood changes with results, but we worked hard to reach these important games and must be ready. The team knows that, we worked hard this week and are confident, that is for sure,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are getting some players back who were out for a while, which also allows us to rotate the squad a bit more, because when you play in different tournaments, it is important to use that tool. Their return will certainly help give us more options.”

There are seven changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Torino, partly because Lazio are in the Europa League quarter-finals and the first leg with Bodo/Glimt is on Thursday evening.

“I have faith in all of my players, we have five big games coming up in 15 days, so we need to call upon everyone and it is the moment for everyone to step up. If we work together, we can achieve something important,” added Baroni.

Does that include the surprising decision to drop goalkeeper Ivan Provedel in favour of Christos Mandas?

“That too is purely about squad rotation.”

Lazio will wear black armbands in mourning following the death of their famous fan, nun Suor Paola.