Venezia-Lazio take to the field for the fifth round of Serie A
THE EVE
Focus on the pitch, without being distracted by anything or anyone. This is the request Gennaro Gattuso has made to his Lazio ahead of the clash against Venezia which, taking advantage of the big match between Roma and Inter, could allow the Biancocelesti to head into the international break at the top of the standings, albeit not alone. For this reason, the Lazio manager wanted to make clear that, in the away fixture against Stroppa's side, his players must not "fall into the trap of presumption — we must not think we've suddenly become great. A month ago everyone was saying we needed to avoid relegation, and against Mantova we made a poor showing." He also stressed that against Venezia "it will be a tough match against a team that deserved to pick up more points, but we need to make up for the second half we played against Milan. Right now we must not make the mistake of being presumptuous — if we've got to where we are, it's because we've had that fighting spirit, playing as a team and keeping our helmets on."
There is no room, therefore, for thoughts unrelated to the pitch and the team's performance. Not even those connected to the investigation into the alleged plot against Lotito aimed at forcing the Lazio president to sell the club — a matter which, Gattuso assures, will have no psychological repercussions on performances, because "I want us to avoid talking about things that don't concern us. We need to prepare matches by training, and as long as the wages come in, we must think about doing our job," the Biancocelesti manager said bluntly.
Against the Venetians, then, Gattuso will look to resume the winning run interrupted by the draw against AC Milan, fielding the same starting eleven from the last home match at the Olimpico and counting on the backing of the fans, who will continue to support their favourites away from home as well. On the subject of supporters, Gattuso also wanted to apologise "to those who were at the stadium" for the Milan match because "I didn't thank them." But with the focus firmly on the pitch, the manager also finds time to dismiss the latest transfer rumour, linked to the possible arrival of Mauro Icardi. A scenario that simply does not exist, Gattuso reiterates, because "no one disputes his quality, but we made our choices earlier by signing Pinamonti and Gudmundsson. When you give your word to players, you can't then go back on it. I spoke with the president and the sporting director — it's right that we stay as we are," he admitted. A further demonstration of how Gattuso is banking on the group he has built since his arrival at Formello, and which he is now asking not to get distracted before the break, so they can enjoy the pause from a position that, until a month ago, not even the most optimistic Lazio fan would have dared to imagine.
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