Gattuso fires up Lazio before Milan clash: “My vision is for a more aggressive and physical style”
Gennaro Gattuso must be happy with the way his Lazio side have started the season, though he isn’t one to show it.
Gattuso took on the challenge of trying to help Lazio rebound after a difficult year, amid all the chaos of transfer restrictions and the possibility of big names leaving. Things started badly with a 2-0 defeat to Mantova in the Coppa Italia round of 64, in front of an empty stadium due to protests.
However, the rebound since then has been commendable, with the capital club winning each of their first three Serie A games. The Aquile beat Bologna 1-0 away and Genoa 1-0 at home – both Davide Frattesi winners – then came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 on Monday night.
It means that Gattuso goes into tomorrow’s game against his former club Milan joint-top of the table. The coach gave a long interview to DAZN about Lazio’s current moment, and he is not getting carried away.
“I was well aware of the environmental challenges and many other difficulties, and I came with great desire and a sense of belonging. I feel comfortable and we must continue. There are so many people who love this club, I can see it first hand,” he said (via MilanPress).
“From the start, I talked about wearing a helmet and a lot of hard work, and we’ll continue on this path. It’s a source of pride to be here. Nothing has changed since the defeat against Mantua; it’s a journey.
“People have asked me how far this Lazio team can go, but I’ve always said it’s not about how far it can go, but about creating a positive atmosphere at Formello and a mentality that knows where we want to go. It’s not about where we end up, but our mentality.
“The match against Mantova is part of our journey, but obviously it hurts and stings, especially going out in the first round like this. We still have our strengths and weaknesses, and perhaps we always will, but we need to develop a mentality that can be achieved not only through hard work on the pitch but also through belief in what we do.
“We’ve changed a lot. Last year we had a master like Sarri who did certain things. In a short time, we tried to dismantle everything, not because it wasn’t working well, but because my vision is for a more aggressive and physical style of football.
“We paid dearly for that Coppa Italia match, but we’re on the right track. We know it will be a tough championship for us, but the goal is certainly to give the team a clear identity. In attack, we need to improve in the final 20-25 metres.
“The numbers tell us this, and we’ve seen it in the first few games. We have the opportunity and the ability to improve. All the players involved in the offensive phase must be good.
“Gudmundsson has arrived, Dia, who was very good at linking the play and helped us offensively and defensively, has left. Gud will be one of the other players I have in front of me; he can play as a false nine, a winger… We’ll need to get inside his head to understand where he can be useful.
“Seeing a full Olimpico is a dream of mine. It’s surreal to step onto the pitch, it feels like being back in the midst of Covid. I experienced it – I was at Napoli. The stadium is beautiful, seeing it completely empty… it’s not easy, that’s my dream. Not just for the derby, but to see it full.
“I’ve coached and played there many times, I know the atmosphere. But we have to respect the decision. Football without fans isn’t football: I hope one day all this ends and I can experience it firsthand, because it would mean I’m still here.
“The fans are consistent people, they decided to do this thing and I don’t want to get into the details. They’re consistent people, they’re following a line, and we can only work, get as many results as possible, and hope that all this can be fixed.”
