Gattuso Opens up on Lazio January Window: “I Might Lock the Door!”
Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso is hoping to keep his squad intact until the end of the season, sending a clear message to the hierarchy ahead of the January transfer window.
Lazio Will Host Cagliari on Sunday
The Biancocelesti are enjoying a stellar start to the Serie A campaign, winning eight of their first nine league games, thus sharing the summit with Inter Milan. The Italian capital side will be looking to prolong the purple patch when they host Cagliari on Sunday (kickoff at 15:00 CET).
Gennaro Gattuso Optimistic Ahead Cagliari Contest
Ahead of the weekend game, Gattuso held his press conference on Saturday (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) to discuss all the latest. The 48-year-old is hoping that his team can maintain the same physical level after playing in midweek for the first time this season.
Let’s see. We are continuing with what we have been doing in terms of fitness tests. We rely heavily on whether players have recovered or not. Yesterday’s tests showed that the players are recovering well.
We pushed a little yesterday, but we had done very little in the previous days because of the three matches. We will see what the latest figures tell us today.
Gattuso Warns Lazio About Cagliari
Gattuso expects to face a tricky opponent in Cagliari, who, despite losing to Roma 2-4 on Tuesday, have been producing solid performances since the start of the season.
It will be a difficult game because of Cagliari’s characteristics and style of play. They line up with three defenders against teams that also play with three at the back. They can use different players up front, but their characteristics remain the same.
They defend well and are good on the counterattack. Pisacane is young and coaches them well. It will be a difficult match. Against Roma, Cagliari had plenty of shots on goal. We must continue doing what we have been doing, with intensity and determination.
Gattuso Still Eyeing 40 Points
Despite leading the Serie A charts, the AC Milan legend insists that reaching the 40-point mark remains the first objective of the season, before setting more ambitious goals.
Our objective is to reach 40 points. Even the players say that. I don’t know whether they are joking with me or saying it for good luck!
I’m not used to seeing league tables like this. We have a path to follow and must prepare properly. We can see that when we play with enthusiasm, things go better. In Reggio Emilia, we conceded a goal but immediately got back on our feet. We must not allow events to affect us.
We have to accept that opponents will sometimes launch counterattacks. We must keep working without becoming complacent. There are still 29 matches to play, which means plenty of points are available. Then we will see where we finish.
Was Noslin is Key for Lazio
Tijjani Noslin stole the headlines with a superb brace in the 6-2 win at Sassuolo. However, Gattuso believes the Dutchman’s importance goes beyond his strikes, describing him as the team’s first defender.
I don’t judge Noslin by his goals, but by the way he performs on the pitch. He is our first defender. He tracks back, makes those additional defensive runs, competes in the air against much bigger opponents and wins his headers. He presses everyone.
We cannot afford to lose those characteristics tomorrow. We must not do things halfway. We need the right attitude and desire, play our football and remain humble.
Playing against Milan and Juventus is easy because those matches prepare themselves. We need to maintain our consistency and respect our opponents by giving 100 per cent tomorrow as well.
Gattuso Lauds ‘Phenomenal’ Mattia Zaccagni
Gattuso also reserved special praise for Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni, who found his magical touch after a forgettable 2025/26 campaign.
There were several occasions when he couldn’t join the national team because he wasn’t feeling well, but I have always liked him and always called him up.
People talk about his assists and goals, but Zac is phenomenal in other aspects of the game as well. Everyone knows his footballing qualities. He needed to build strength in his legs.
He is a true captain, always available to his teammates. Sometimes he grumbles because he doesn’t want to give anything up. He is extremely important to us, not just technically and tactically, but in every possible sense.
If I were one of Zac’s teammates, I would put him in a glass display cabinet. He never puts a foot wrong when it comes to his character.
Is Gattuso Worried About Big January Sales?
Last season, Lazio sold Matteo Guendouzi and Taty Castellanos in January, which was a major blow for Maurizio Sarri. Therefore, Gattuso was asked whether he’s worried about a similar scenario this winter.
I’m not thinking about that. I know this world very well and understand how it works. Agents do their jobs.
Given the relationship I have with my players, nobody has come into my office so far, and I hope nobody does. I might lock the door! (laughs)
Jokes aside, I’m only thinking about the team at the moment and helping the players who need to improve. We will see what happens. I hope nothing happens because it would be a shame.
The Lazio manager was also asked which aspect of his team made him proudest, and he pointed to the players’ mentality.
The mentality. Seeing players who never hold back and who all think with one mind makes me proud.
Those who come off the bench always give everything and help us enormously. I know it isn’t easy, but I’m proud of how they stick together and train.
Naturally, some players look a little unhappy at times, but I have no problem with seeing people getting angry. That’s part of our job, and it means they have self-respect.
Lazio’s Secret Weapon
The Aquile head coach insists that hard work is the secret behind the team’s success in the first two months of the campaign.
It comes down to our approach to the game and our willingness to work hard. That’s the secret. We have to play with intensity; otherwise, we become vulnerable.
Against Sassuolo, we conceded two goals because we switched off. The second goal, in particular, is one we should never concede given the way we want to defend.
We have to work hard. The secret isn’t about goals or anything else. It feels as though all the players share one mind.
Claudio Lotito Remains Close to Lazio
Gattuso also opened up on his relationship with Lazio owner Claudio Lotito, who remains close to the team.
I speak to the president frequently. He is very involved and will have dinner with us tonight, as he has done on other occasions before home matches.
It’s right for him to be present and speak to the players. Naturally, he sees certain things differently from me, but there is great mutual respect and communication between us.
Gattuso Hails Lazio Fans For The Superb Atmospheres
Finally, the 2006 World Cup winner is grateful to the Lazio supporters who have been accompanying the team in large numbers on the road and creating wonderful spectacles.
I get emotional when I play cards with my son. I always want to win! If I no longer feel emotions or get that tingling sensation, I might as well go for walks with my wife and dog.
Even when I’ve taken some heavy blows, I’ve always had that fire inside me. I live for these things.
I felt alive, and I thanked the supporters for the spectacle they created. On a Tuesday, it felt like a Scudetto celebration. It didn’t feel like the ninth matchday of the season; it felt as though we were playing for something important.
The credit belongs to the players and their mentality. They have created this enthusiasm, and we hope to keep it going.
