Gattuso: Lazio need to learn how to manage games

SS Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso says his squad needs to learn how to manage games after defeating Sassuolo 6-2 in a Serie A battle on Tuesday night.

The former Italy manager found flaws to pick at despite his side’s emphatic away win.

The former Napoli manager insisted that the Biancocelesti need to work on their defensive block and their ability to manage games after going ahead.

Lazio remain unbeaten in Serie A, sharing the top spot with current Scudetto holders Inter Milan.

They picked up their eighth victory in nine league games away against the Neroverdi, banking on their good run of form.

Lazio needed two minutes to take the lead through Kenneth Taylor, but Kristian Thorstvedt leveled after seven.

Lazio then regained the lead and won the half-time through goals from Gustav Isaksen, Romano Floriani Mussolini and Sebastiano Esposito.

The Rome-based club then completed the job with three goals from Mattia Zaccagni, and Tijjani Noslin added three more after the break.

It could have been even more dramatic, as Zaccagni and Davide Frattesi saw their penalties saved by Stefano Turati. 

Despite this performance, Gattuso still expressed concerns about his side’s defensive output and game management after going ahead. 

Lauding the squad’s mentality, Gattuso said they weren’t aggressive and needed to learn how to defend.

“Sassuolo are a very dangerous side, and we weren’t very good on that front. It helped that they were down to 10 men. 

“But, when we work and link well, we make it difficult for our opponents. We’re not looking at the standings, otherwise we’ll get vertigo. We’re taking things game by game,” he added.

Speaking on the perfect run that has seen his side remain unbeaten after nine games in the Serie A season, Gattuso was realistic, saying that it is a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ his side ends up losing.

He added that when Lazio tried to manage the game or see it out, they found it difficult.

“We have to go and keep creating the situations that we are creating. We haven’t had any kicks in the teeth yet, so we’ll see when it happens. There’s only one way to go about it, and that is by working hard.”

Speaking about the compliment from former Lazio head coach Simone Inzaghi over the weekend, the former AC Milan midfielder expressed gratitude, saying his Lazio were a very strong side. He added that they were annoying.

Image credits: Emmanuele Ciancaglini / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images