Marco Baroni reveals why Mario Gila wasn’t meant to be playing when he scored the own goal and insists Lazio had ‘another step in the growth process’ during their defeat to Juventus.
The Aquile went into the weekend level on 13 points with the Old Lady, but it all went very wrong 24 minutes into the big match at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin.
Alessio Romagnoli attempted a last-ditch tackle from behind on Pierre Kalulu and didn’t get the ball, leading to a red card for the foul just outside the area.
They held on down to 10 men until the 85th minute, when Ivan Provedel was beaten by Mario Gila’s clumsy attempt to clear a Juan Cabal cross, turning it into his own net.
Baroni sees positive Lazio reaction
“It remains a very good team performance, showing character and confidence,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia and DAZN.
“Being down to 10 men inevitably affected us, but in my view it was another step in the growth process. We’re sad about the result, but the performance was there amid difficulties with spirit and character.”
Nuno Tavares limped off with an injury and that proved a turning point for two reasons, because he used up the last substitution that was meant to be for Gila.
Instead, the defender had to stay on and his fitness levels were obviously failing when he scored the own goal.
“Nuno Tavares gives us quality and energy, I didn’t want us getting pinned back too much, as we had to take some of that pressure off,” explained Baroni.
“It’s a pity about the own goal, Gila was unlucky, it was a matter of millimetres. When you get there a fraction of a second late due to fatigue, it’s natural that can happen.
“We do not feel that we are leaving here empty-handed. It was also positive to know that when we have to defend deep, which I generally don’t like to do, we can do it well.”
