Lazio Boss Hails Napoli Ahead of Coppa Italia Blockbuster

A place in the Coppa Italia round of 16 is up for grabs as Lazio and Napoli go head-to-head in a blockbuster tie on Thursday evening. Marco Baroni addressed the media in the build-up, acknowledging the magnitude of the task awaiting his side at the Stadio Olimpico.

“We’re facing the team that’s first in the league, and deservedly so,” the Lazio boss said, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. “It’s not a surprise to me because I know Conte very well, having worked closely with him. There’s a lot of work behind that league position.

“We’re playing against a top-level team, but we’re happy to measure ourselves against such a side. We’ll face them with our characteristics, trying to bring the game to our side,” Baroni added.

Lazio and Napoli haven’t faced each other in Serie A this season. However, the Biancocelesti held Antonio Conte’s side winless in both league encounters last term, extending their unbeaten streak in this fixture to three.

That could bolster Baroni’s confidence after Parma humbled Lazio 3-1 last weekend, halting their impressive run of seven victories from eight competitive matches. But that defeat came on hostile turf. Meanwhile, Baroni’s men have been nearly impeccable at home this season.

Indeed, Lazio have racked up an eye-catching eight wins from ten outings at the Olimpico, with the remaining two ending all square. Strengthening that record against Serie A pacesetters could be a tall order, but no one can put it past Baroni’s team to send Napoli packing.

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