Lazio manager Gattuso addressed the upcoming match against Juventus in his pre-game press conference, acknowledging the Turin club’s superiority while calling for his team to compete with courage and mental fortitude.
“We must go to Turin knowing we’re playing against a great team, one that is collecting fewer points than it has sown,” Gattuso said. “What matters to me is courage and mentality, without fear. They are stronger than us, but I want a team that competes, and then we’ll see how it goes. If we go there with hesitation and fear, it won’t take us anywhere.”
Gattuso drew on his history facing Juventus, noting he has won one final and lost four against them. However, he framed that as irrelevant to the current challenge. “The past is the past. Juve can play however they want; they’ve changed a lot,” he explained.
The Lazio coach analyzed Juventus’s tactical approach, saying they deploy two strikers as focal points but also score through crosses into crowded areas, utilizing their physical strength and pace on the flanks. He emphasized that such conditions require proactive rather than defensive football.
“Courage is necessary because if we think that fortune will fall from the sky, we won’t get anywhere,” Gattuso said. “When you decide to go forward, you go. Obviously, there are moments and zones of the field where this must be done carefully. You always have to look to attack.”
Gattuso also discussed Lazio’s recent performances and player development. He noted the team can improve in intensity and match-reading, citing a recent game against Monza where they struggled despite numerical superiority on the ball. He praised his players’ overall effort and adaptation to the modern game’s increased substitution opportunities.
Regarding midfielder Belahyane, Gattuso revealed the player had apologized in his office for his role in recent struggles. “He shouldn’t have apologized for anything,” Gattuso said. “Gradually he’s found minutes, and like others, he’s now a protagonist.” The coach credited Belahyane and other players who had limited opportunities last season for earning their current roles through performance.
Key facts
- Gattuso acknowledged Juventus is stronger than Lazio but wants his team to play courageously and competitively
- Gattuso has won one final against Juventus and lost four
- Gattuso noted Juventus’s physical strength, pace on the wings, and ability to score through crosses
- Belahyane apologized to Gattuso but the coach said he had no reason to apologize for anything
- Gattuso emphasized the importance of intensity and proactive play, saying passivity won’t succeed