Gennaro Gattuso is achieving a feat that will go down in Lazio history. This Saturday evening, the Roman club dominated Parma (2-1) at the Stadio Olimpico and signed a seventh victory in eight Serie A days. With 22 points out of 24 possible, the Biancocelesti established the best start in their history in the Italian elite, doing even better than the era of Sven-Göran Eriksson (1997-2001). An exceptional result for a team which was not necessarily expected at such a celebration, but which advances with impressive regularity. Kenneth Taylor broke the deadlock with a superb strike from the left (50th), before Diego Carlos scored against his side from a cross from Nuno Tavares (58th). Despite Lontani’s reduction in added time, Lazio retained the essentials and moved to the top of the standings, alongside Inter who overthrew Fiorentina this Sunday (2-1). With 16 goals scored and only 5 conceded, it also boasts the best defense in the championship and one of the best in Europe. The most impressive thing remains the way in which Gattuso managed to transform this team into a real winning machine.
Since the start of the season, Lazio have brought down Juventus, Bologna and even Genoa, while resisting AC Milan in their only draw. His collective compensates for the limitations of a squad, handicapped by a recruitment ban, which did not seem equipped to play leading roles, while its defensive solidity allows it to get through matches without panicking. However, this sporting success contrasts with the tense situation off the field. Supporters continue their boycott of the Stadio Olimpico to protest against President Claudio Lotito, accused of lacking ambition and investment. The Roman enclosure thus remains sparse despite the results of the team, which continues to receive support from its fans during its travels. Still undefeated in Serie A, Gattuso has to deal with a particular context, but his men respond on the pitch with remarkable efficiency. And in view of this historic start to the season, Lazio can now look upwards with growing ambitions after a catastrophic start to the adventure marked by a humiliating elimination against Mantua in the Coppa.
An empty stadium but Lazio in the lead
Despite this historic start to the season, Gennaro Gattuso refuses to ignite. The Lazio coach prefers to emphasize the state of mind of his group and the need to maintain this dynamic. In a Stadio Olimpico still marked by the boycott of some of the supporters, the Italian technician also wanted to greet the fans present to welcome the team. “This team is in great shape, physically at the top. I like his state of mind. We must never play slowly, otherwise we are not as dangerous as when we perform well. The ranking is not up to us. We will continue to move forward and we will see where we end up. At each match, 200 to 300 more people attend the match. Today I want to thank Curva Nord for waiting for the team. You have to stay humble and keep a low profile in the rankings. I’m happy. We have progressed in these last two matches. The ranking? We will continue on this momentum; you have to approach each match one after the other“, said Gattuso after the meeting.
The former OM coach also explained how the schedule, with only one meeting per week, allowed him to work in depth with his squad. The technician focuses on the intensity of the sessions, but also on recovery to keep his players at the best physical level. A method that seems to be bearing fruit since the start of the exercise. “Playing once a week gives us advantages because we can do heavy workloads, we can give England-style rest. I gave the boys 20 days of recovery in 3 months, but because we work hard and with great intensity. When I say invisible recovery, it’s rest, so when they come back, they are fresh and more lucid», concluded the former Italy coach. Lazio is moving against the tide of expectations and sparse stands. But with Gattuso at the helm, the Roman dream is already taking on a historic dimension.
