Gennaro Gattuso urges Lazio to keep their feet on the ground and focus on modest objectives despite leading the Serie A table.
The Biancocelesti raised their tally to 22 from a possible 24 points after beating Parma on the eighth matchday of the season. Kenneth Taylor broke the deadlock after the restart, while Ducali defender Diego Carlos scored an own goal. Simone Lontani grabbed one back for the visitors in the dying minutes through an overhit cross, but it was too little too late to change the outcome.
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In his post-match interviews and press conference (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Gattuso expressed his relief after overcoming a challenge he described as a ‘banana skin’, while criticising his defenders for their early struggles.
For me, today was a potential banana skin, just like the game against Monza. Lazio’s history tells us that heavy defeats have followed big victories. Today, we took another step forward. A bad result could have undone everything we achieved a week ago.We knew their style of play could cause us problems. During the opening 15 minutes, Provstgaard and Sutalo were half-asleep, and we struggled a little. We then combined well down the flanks, particularly on the left, but our play was too slow.The pitch didn’t help us either; its condition was appalling. Then we raised the tempo, kept possession and allowed our quality to emerge. We did very well in our defensive preparation for opposition attacks, and we must keep it up.
Gattuso felt Davide Frattesi should have been awarded a spot-kick early in the game after being brought down by Mariano Triolo inside the penalty box. Nevertheless, he commended his players for keeping their cool and not following the bad example he had set during his playing days.
I have to congratulate the lads for not protesting and picking up bookings. From our perspective, it looked like a penalty when you watch the incident, but the officials made their decision.I have to praise the team for not losing their composure. Yellow cards should be picked up when you need to prevent a goal, not for protesting. And that comes from someone who was a master at it back in the day. I never kept quiet. I was record-breaking in that respect! I have to congratulate the players for their discipline.The other day, I argued with two or three players while I was refereeing a training session. They told me to get lost several times! I had seen things one way, but when I watched them back, I realised I had made three stupid mistakes. Referees can make mistakes too.
Player Ratings: Lazio 2-1 Parma – Belahyane & Taylor Run The Show
The 48-year-old is happy to confirm his starting lineup as long as it’s yielding the right results, although rotation could be necessary this week, with the team playing on Tuesday against Sassuolo.
We play once a week. At the moment, the players coming off the bench are also giving us a great deal of help. I take that into account when making my assessments, because substitutes can make a difference.I keep fielding the same players because they work hard, and we only have one match to think about. My job is to put the best possible team on the pitch. I really like what they’re doing.
Lazio are currently top of the table while awaiting Inter Milan’s game against Fiorentina on Sunday. Nevertheless, Gattuso insisted his team isn’t involved in the battle for the top spots; instead, their first goal is to reach the 40-point threshold (considered sufficient to avoid relegation)
Being 18 points short of the target is the right way to look at it. We’re not looking at the table; we have little to do with those positions. We’re thinking about Sassuolo. When we reach 40 points, we can start playing with a bit more finesse.For now, we’re in the trenches. We mustn’t forget that we suffered a heavy defeat two months ago, lost to Mantova and were knocked out of the Coppa Italia. People were writing us off as relegation candidates.We have no business up there at the top; those positions aren’t for us to worry about. However, we’re writing a small piece of this club’s history.
The Lazio manager thanked the protesting Curva Nord ultras who greeted the team’s bus outside the stadium before the game, as well as the small crowd that attended the match.
There are 200 or 300 more people coming into the stadium for every match. That gives us motivation.Today, I want to thank the Curva Nord, whose supporters waited for the team outside the stand. We must keep our feet on the ground, work with enthusiasm and only see where we end up once the time comes.
Watch: Lazio March on as Taylor Scores Against Parma – The Highlights
Gattuso explained why Luca Pellegrini was originally omitted from the Serie A squad list, and why he decided to reinstate him ahead of last weekend’s game against Juventus.
His contract expires in June, and the club had made a decision. I’m the coach, and I accepted it. He and Patric were both excluded from the squad list.Once the transfer window closed, we had two places available in the list. Some names were suggested, but I honestly said no. It wasn’t because I wanted to disrupt what we have going here; it was because I know the atmosphere in the dressing room at the moment.Patric went to the United Arab Emirates, leaving only Luca. I gave him a run-out in a friendly, and that’s when the decision emerged.We know his contract is expiring, but as long as he behaves well, why shouldn’t we give him the opportunity to remain with the group? The club agreed, and he is now part of the squad.
Finally, Gattuso was asked if Reda Belahyane reminds him of himself as a player, but he insisted that the Moroccan is technically superior.
No, Belahyane is Belahyane. He’s a player who was ready when the right opportunity came along, and he’s now reaping the rewards of his hard work.He understands the tactical side of the game and has tremendous intelligence. He can still improve by looking forward when we win the ball rather than choosing the simple pass. But that’s part of his humility.He resembles me a little in the way he intercepts the ball, although I was less handsome than him. He’s more elegant!
