Marco Baroni hints at why some surprising names stepped up for Lazio in the penalty shoot-out with Bodo/Glimt. ‘I don’t know what more I could ask of the players’ after Europa League elimination.
The Aquile knew they had a mountain to climb in order to overturn the 2-0 first leg deficit, but they had done it to force extra time with Taty Castellanos and then Tijjani Noslin at the 93rd minute.
They were even leading on aggregate when Boulaye Dia rose to nod in a cross, but Andreas Helmersen got Bodo/Glimt back into the tie.
It was ultimately decided in a penalty shoot-out, where Loum Tchaouna, Noslin and a visibly exhausted Castellanos failed to convert, so the Norwegians will face Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final.
“There is pain, because we deserved to go through, because the team played an extraordinary match in a marvellous stadium with remarkable energy,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.
“We played well, created chances, were aggressive, pressed high, stopped Bodo/Glimt playing and had so many scoring opportunities. I am sad at the way it ended, but I am proud of the team, I thank the fans and can only congratulate everyone, including those who took the penalties.”
Lazio penalty takers surprised many
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 17: Tijjani Noslin of Lazio reacts after he misses the team’s third penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between S.S. Lazio and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio Olimpico on April 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Questions were inevitably raised about how the choice was made for those spot-kicks, especially as Castellanos was barely able to stand during extra time, having just returned from injury and not even expected to last the 90 minutes.
“Clearly, when you get to penalties, there are many factors to be considered, including players who feel ready to step up. Most of those who took them were strikers, but we don’t want to put any blame on them, they are young players. Castellanos is our regular penalty taker and he said he felt ready,” replied Baroni.
“We need to give everyone positive energy and confidence now, because we still have a season to finish in Serie A.”
Nuno Tavares limped off during extra time with another muscular problem and was distraught, leaving the field in tears.
“He was crying, I tried to console him, the stadium was chanting his name. He is an important player for us, who clearly is going through a difficult situation with the injury. He had trained well and felt ready, we brought on his energy down the left and he put lots of crosses in. Now we need to evaluate this fresh relapse,” explained Baroni.
“It was also disappointing because we had to use up a substitution, just when we needed fresh legs.”
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 17: Marco Baroni, Head Coach of Lazio, embraces Nuno Tavares of Lazio as he leaves the field after picking up an injury during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between S.S. Lazio and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio Olimpico on April 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Ultimately, the 2-0 defeat in the first leg was decisive and Baroni blamed the artificial pitch that has created so many problems for opponents in the past.
“Speaking to the players, when everyone tells you it was tough to stay on our feet and control the ball, it inevitably had an effect. Having said that, tonight we just needed a little bit of luck to finish it off.
“We created so many chances and worked so hard, I don’t know what more I could ask of the players tonight. The crowd recognised it too and they were on their feet.”
Lazio had started the season incredibly well and won the Europa League table, but their European and domestic form had been stuttering for a while.
“There is pain tonight, both psychological and physical, as we gave it absolutely everything we had. Now we’ve got to recharge the batteries straight away. I told the lads at the final whistle that I was proud of them, but penalties are unpredictable.
“I told them before the game that we needed to do something extraordinary, and the performance was precisely that,” concluded Baroni.
