In Rino Veritas: The Secrets Behind Lazio’s Place at the Top
“Today, I wouldn’t put a Gattuso in my team based on the way I want to play. That’s the truth. You need to play through the lines, you need to cover the pitch in a certain way. If I had had a player with my characteristics, I don’t know if he would have played for me.” A strong statement, perhaps even provocative, but one that is extremely fitting for Lazio at the start of this season. The words came from Rino Gattuso himself, the architect of a project that is still in its early stages, yet has already proved thoroughly convincing. After their debut in the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa, and the shock elimination at the hands of Mantova, few people would have bet on seeing the Biancocelesti sitting at the top of the table alongside Roma and Inter when the international break arrived.
The Calabrian coach’s qualities have shone through despite a sea of skepticism. He arrived at Formello having put the bitter ending to his time in charge of Italy behind him, aware that he would have to mould a squad with a different identity, almost completely transformed after the upheaval of the preceding months. Sarri’s departure and the transfers of key figures such as Gila, Romagnoli and Castellanos, all pillars of Lazio’s spine in recent seasons, meant a major rebuilding job.
Gattuso, as has often been the case throughout his playing and coaching career, has kept his head down and followed the path he had set out, even if that meant losing his way along the journey. The team accepted him, embraced him and ultimately followed him with renewed enthusiasm. Moments of tension were needed too: just think of the exchange between the coach and Taylor during pre-season. Strong-willed, but with a good heart. The Scottish midfielder has become indispensable to Lazio’s set-up and, if we were to speculate, perhaps that bond would be less strong without that little confrontation. Speculation? Perhaps. The picture is clear: Rino brings substance and the fighting spirit of a true battler. Beneath the tough exterior is a coach capable of reading his team and implementing principles of play that allow him to get the very best out of it.
The Road to the International Break
The squad’s extensive summer overhaul was never used as an excuse. The 2-0 defeat to Mantova in mid-August highlighted the need to rediscover motivation and a spark within the group. The opening Serie A Enilive match at Bologna then provided the perfect hunting ground: Lazio were cautious in the first half, before showing their quality by turning their few chances after the break into gold. Frattesi’s goal, a narrow victory and a proud response. A starting point for many, but for the coach, simply a collection of areas to work on.
Indeed, to tell the full story, Gattuso himself urged the group in his post-match press conference that evening to continue moving forward with ‘earplugs in’, placing strong emphasis on mentality and the amount of work still to be done. The 1-0 win over Genoa on matchday two was still too little to define Lazio as a team in good health, let alone one ready to set ambitious targets. There were further positive signs in the away win at Udinese, a historically difficult ground for anyone.
After the 2-2 draw at home to AC Milan, a more deeply rooted identity began to emerge. The first half against the Rossoneri was a concentrated display of intensity and effective vertical play. Amorim’s side were put under pressure in several areas, with the match belonging to one team alone for 45 minutes. The story was different after the break, however, as the Rossoneri fought back against a tired and increasingly stretched Lazio side.
The return to winning ways in Venice also demonstrated Gattuso’s side’s ability to make an impact at the key moments of a contest. In contrast to what happened against AC Milan, Gattuso’s team grew into the game as it progressed, overcoming their difficult start by staying true to their footballing principles.
The Ingredients of Ringhio’s New Lazio
Solid foundations. The departures of Gila and Romagnoli in defence paved the way for the rise of Oliver Provstgaard. The 2003-born defender has gone from promising prospect to technical leader of the back line. Despite the established starters ahead of him, he had already won plenty of praise and made a good number of appearances last season. The decision to promote him fits perfectly with Gattuso’s needs: Doekhi and Šutalo bring different qualities to the table, while Provstgaard complements both, providing balance to the entire structure. The Biancocelesti have conceded just three goals in five matches (the same as Roma), with only the surprise package Cagliari having conceded fewer, with two.
Rapid wide men. Having returned almost under the radar after his loan spell at Cremonese, Floriani Mussolini now appears to be indispensable to Gattuso’s plans. With Marusic still sidelined, the wing-back took over from the Montenegrin and quickly began to express himself within a clear tactical framework. With him on one side and Nuno Tavares on the other, the players act as the wide engines behind the concept of attacking depth that Gattuso values so highly. The Portuguese, in particular, has been reborn under the new management and has significantly raised Lazio’s level of play. Tavares appears less restricted now, free to express himself, helped by his steadily improving physical condition.
A rotating midfield. Rovella’s injury on matchday two appeared to herald a potentially difficult-to-repair break in terms of the team’s build-up play. The Genoa and Juventus academy product remains fundamental to Rino Gattuso’s tactical blueprint, but Belahyane’s alternative in the playmaking role has broadened the coach’s options. The Moroccan deep-lying midfielder finally seems to have rediscovered the player who impressed at Verona, boosted by the manager’s confidence, which he has shown on several occasions. The structure rests on the two interiors: Taylor has quality and presence in both phases, while Frattesi is the balancing factor, with his three goals providing further confirmation of his all-round importance. Lazio know how to circulate the ball in midfield, have players capable of making runs from deep and provide protection for the defence in a variety of situations.
The importance of the front three. Perhaps the biggest positive for Lazio has been the return of Mattia Zaccagni to his best, as he has fully embraced his role as captain and one of the team’s senior figures. His penalty in Venice carried huge weight, while his assist for Noslin reflected the composure with which he has taken responsibility for the team during these opening Serie A Enilive matches. On the opposite flank, Cancellieri is currently the first choice, another player revitalised under the manager’s guidance. Through the middle, Noslin has scored two important goals, deservedly moving ahead of Andrea Pinamonti in the pecking order. The former Sassuolo striker is perhaps the piece of the attacking structure that still needs fixing: Gattuso has repeatedly expressed his satisfaction with the player’s attitude and commitment, but his lack of goals is understandably a concern to some extent. There is still time to address that aspect, and the current situation is helping to keep morale high. In the last four league seasons, Pinamonti has finished below nine goals just once; the Biancocelesti environment could be the ideal setting for him to turn the key and get back up to speed.
The options from the bench. Isaksen and Guðmundsson are luxury substitutes, co-starters capable of changing a match. The distinction is not particularly important. At present, they sit slightly behind in the pecking order, especially given how difficult it is to alter a well-oiled machine. The Dane is competing with Cancellieri for a starting place, having dealt with physical problems over the summer and now looking to rediscover his best form. The former Fiorentina player is quickly absorbing the Biancocelesti philosophy, can operate in all three attacking positions and fits the coach’s demands perfectly. To maintain a high level during the final half-hour, having players of this calibre in the squad can genuinely make a difference.
In short, there is no room to see Gattuso in midfield. On the Lazio bench, however, the manager’s suit fits Ringhio perfectly. The Biancocelesti have taken flight, and the coach is enjoying the journey.