Gattuso Unhappy With Lazio Performance, Compares Isaksen to Ex-Chelsea Star
Despite beating Monza by three goals to one, Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso wasn’t fully satisfied with his team’s performance.
Lazio Overcome 10-Man Monza
The Biancocelesti began Sunday’s Serie A game on a good note, breaking the deadlock as early as the third minute through Nuno Tavares, before adding a second thanks to Gustav Isaksen 20 minutes later. Things went from bad to worse for Ivan Juric, as his team was reduced to ten men following Lorenzo Lucchesi’s dismissal.
However, the visitors still managed to stage an uprising after the interval, pulling one back through Saba Goglichidze, and coming very close to finding an equaliser. But in the end, Lazio were able to weather the storm, regain their composure, and eventually score a third courtesy of Andrea Pinamonti to remain on level with league leaders Inter Milan.
Gennaro Gattuso Admits Lazio Were Lucky to Survive Monza’s Second-Half Onslaught
In his post-match interviews and press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Gattuso voiced his frustration with his team’s poor second-half display, which evoked memories of their 2-2 draw against AC Milan, when they also lost the plot after the break.
It was a carbon copy of the game against Milan. If the first half had ended 4-0, it would have been a fair reflection of the game. In the second half, we conceded a goal after one minute, and I didn’t like anything about our performance.
We just sat back and coasted along, and we cannot afford to do that. If we have to concede goals, then we concede them, but not like that. That is what I told the team. We must not be afraid, and we got away with it today because they deserved to draw.
We picked up two yellow cards for our centre-backs. When they were down to 10 men, they played for second balls, and we won very few of them. We are a team that needs to win the ball back. Four or five times in the second half, Tavares and Zaccagni were playing on the same line, and I don’t like that.
Gattuso Not Interested in League Standings
Lazio have surpassed Roma in the table, as their rivals had settled for a draw against Como earlier on Sunday. But despite being second in the standings, Gattuso refuses to be drawn into the season-objective discussion.
We’re not looking at the league table. We have to take things one day at a time. Our objective is to train properly, respect the rules and get all our players back to fitness.
Gattuso Urged Floriani Mussolini to Stay at Lazio
Romano Floriani Mussolini has been a constant presence in the lineup since Adam Marusic’s injury. Gattuso revealed the Lazio youth product could have left the club, but he urged him to stay and fight for his place.
From the very first day I arrived, I spoke to sporting director Fabiani because when a young player has that kind of explosive pace and is willing to work, he already has an advantage.
He’s an incredible lad who doesn’t say much but works hard. He could have left, but he asked me what role he could have here, and I told him he needed to work because I believed in him. Now he’s doing his part.
Gustav Isaksen Compared to Arjen Robben
The Lazio head coach was pleased to see Isaksen open his account for the season, comparing the Dane to former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, who was renowned for his trademark cut to centre and left-foot shot.
He needs to get his legs going. When he starts moving his legs quickly, his qualities come to the fore. He is a player like Robben. In this game, he often moved inside, leaving the flank for Floriani, and he did very well.
Tijjano Noslin & Andrea Pinamonti Duel
Tijjani Noslin confirmed his good form by producing two assists and causing Monza’s red card, but Pinamonti came off the bench and scored Lazio’s third goal, giving Gattuso a selection headache.
Pinamonti? He’s an intelligent and good lad. Noslin is in good condition, but his moment will come too. We’re waiting for him; he’ll give us a huge helping hand.
