Baroni pride: ‘Lazio always believe and never give up’ even down to 9 men

PLZEN, CZECH REPUBLIC – MARCH 06: SS Lazio head coach Marco Baroni during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg match between FC Viktoria Plzen and S.S. Lazio at Stadion mesta Plzne on March 06, 2025 in Plzen, Czech Republic. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Marco Baroni insists all the dramatic late Lazio goals are no fluke, but rather ‘a sign that this team always believes and never gives up’ after beating Viktoria Plzen down to nine men.

The Biancocelesti dominated the league phase of this tournament and topped the table, so were the top seeds going into the draw.

This trip to Viktoria Plzen proved tougher than expected, as the Alessio Romagnoli opener was cancelled out by a free Rafiu Durosinmi header on a set play.

When Both Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot received red cards, the nine men were expected to rest on that 1-1 draw ahead of the second leg, but instead Gustav Isaksen curled in a stunning winner at the 98^th minute.

“I am very happy for the lads, it was a difficult match because we lost our way a little and were running out of steam in the second half,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.

“Plzen are aggressive, they press high, attack, run hard, while it is also difficult just to control the ball properly on that pitch. This all makes the victory even more valuable.

“The character of this team was on show again, the sheer hunger that they have. It is another step forward in our growth process.”

Baroni sees Lazio growing in Europe

The more that Lazio progress in the Europa League, the more their confidence has evidently grown, so they have to be considered among the favourites to lift the trophy now.

“Victories always boost your mentality and conviction, but I always tell my players that performances can do the same too. We knew how to suffer and defend deep today down to nine men, we did it with organisation and the spirit of sacrifice.”

The 98^th-minute Isaksen winner comes just days after a similarly dramatic victory in Serie A away to Milan, when Pedro converted a penalty deep into stoppages.

“I think this was our 19^th goal of the season scored in the final 15 minutes plus stoppages, so that is a sign that this team always believes and never gives up,” acknowledged Baroni.

“I am pleased at Isaksen’s goals this season, but not surprised. He always needed more confidence and I gave him greater freedom, as I like a striker who takes risks. He is starting to be decisive now and I always felt he was ready to explode onto the scene.

“It is my philosophy that we must always try to attack and get bodies into the box, so I kept forwards on the field, even down to nine men.”

Baroni does acknowledge there is one big problem that Lazio are struggling with lately and that is their defending on set plays, because Durosinmi was totally and utterly unmarked.

“We are well aware of that and we are working on it, there needs to be greater focus and attention.”