Lazio coach Marco Baroni welcomes new signing Boulaye Dia, describes what he wants from a versatile midfield and has ‘a couple of doubts’ for the starting XI against Venezia.
The Serie A opener kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
Mario Gila has been ruled out by a muscular problem, so there has to be at least one change to the ideal line-up, while Dia only completed his transfer from Salernitana today.
“We are working towards constant improvement,” said Baroni in his press conference.
“The principal objective is to create a strong identity and a team that works together. Those are the foundations, then there are various improvements that need to be made. I am not someone who likes to talk about long-term, we must take it one day at a time.”
After weeks of negotiations, Dia completed his move from Salernitana on loan with option to buy for a reported total of €12m.
“Dia is one of the talented players that Lazio went looking for, let us not forget we also brought in Tijjani Noslin, while Taty Castellanos was already in the squad. Dia proved he can score goals, he brings great mobility and does not give reference points to opposition defenders.”
Baroni outlines his idea of Lazio’s football
Mobility is a word that kept cropping up in the press conference of former Hellas Verona boss Baroni.
“I have a midfield with players who have specific characteristics. Nicolò Rovella, Danilo Cataldi and Matias Vecino can all be deep-lying playmakers. However, I am not focused on positional football. For example, Matteo Guendouzi is a player with great mobility and I don’t like him to just stay in one zone. The same applies for Dele-Bashiru.
“Gaetano Castrovilli has vision, great quality and can shoot too. He is working very hard to regain full fitness.”
With icon Ciro Immobile having gone to Besiktas this summer, Lazio are robbed of one of their most charismatic figures, as well as their captain and regular penalty-taker.
“I will choose who takes the penalty on a game to game basis, because there are different matches and moments. There will always be a first, second and third penalty-taker in every match.”
While Gila is out and Dia unlikely to start so soon after his arrival, there are a few choices for Baroni to make.
“I have a couple of doubts for the starting XI tomorrow, but that is because I am evaluating those who haven’t been with us for long. Some might think this is an easy game, but it really isn’t.”