Gattuso: ‘Lazio a normal team if we drop belief and determination’
Gennaro Gattuso warns Lazio ‘become a normal team’ if they lower their level of belief and determination, as they fought back to beat Cagliari and top the Serie A table alone. ‘We might get dizzy.’
The Biancocelesti are truly making history, as for the first time after a gap of 5,836 days they are alone at the top of the Serie A standings, having moved three points clear of Inter thanks to the Derby della Madonnina defeat to Milan.
It is also the first time ever that Lazio have won nine of the first 10 Serie A games, something that had not been achieved by any club since Milan and Napoli in 2021/22.
Gattuso proud of Lazio determination
“It was a very difficult match and all credit for that goes to Cagliari, because we struggled and those who came off the bench changed the game with their mentality,” Gattuso told DAZN Italia.
“This was a very important match for us, we did everything to take the result home. Cagliari are tough to deal with, they defend and attack well.”
It was a tough slog today, as Cagliari had taken the lead early on when Alieu Fadera pulled back from the by-line for M’Bala Nzola to tap in.
However, the swerving Gustav Isaksen curler drew level, and Andrea Pinamonti left it late to turn the game around with a header from close range.
There was controversy around that goal, as Alessandro Deiola was down with a head injury after charging down the Fisayo Dele-Bashiru shot in the build-up, but the referee did not stop play.
Deiola eventually had to be stretchered off after being left visibly dazed.
“Those who came on showed great determination, hunger and vehemence, they changed the game,” added Gattuso.
“That is big for a coach to see. Not starting will always irritate a player, but the five substitutions made the difference today, and that makes me proud.”
Lazio are with Roma the only sides still unbeaten in Serie A this season, and Gattuso’s next test is a trip to Max Allegri’s Napoli.
“We are all up there, we still need 12 points to achieve the target of 40 that we set at the start of the season. Every team in the league is balanced and well-structured, so we’ve got to keep taking it one game at a time and see where we end up.
“It is best that we don’t look at the table right now, or it’ll make us dizzy. We’ve got to push hard, rest, then push hard again.”
This was their sixth consecutive victory in Serie A, the best run since February 2021, but the all-time record remains 11 straight wins from October 2019 to January 2020.
“This is a team that believes in itself and is happy to spend time together. I am also starting to fully understand these players and what they are capable of. Nuno Tavares had someone man-marking him all game, so we’ve got to be better at not giving reference points to the opponents.”
It is remarkable considering Gattuso was tipped for the sack when he lost the Coppa Italia fixture in the opening round back in August.
“That defeat didn’t take away our belief in what we were doing, we don’t let go. We work, we don’t complain, this is the spirit that is pushing us on, because without that, we become a normal team,” insisted the coach.
“Mattia Zaccagni got a knock and wasn’t running smoothly, so I preferred not to risk keeping him out there. He proved to be a real champion, his uncle died last night, who he was very close to, but he still wanted to play and help the team. This tells you the calibre of professionals I am working with.”
With Lazio top of the table, it was fitting that ex-President Sergio Cragnotti was in the stands today, as he was the last man to celebrate the Scudetto for this club in 2000.
“I didn’t see him, but I would like to meet him, as he was a great President.”
