Venezia-Lazio 0-1, on the pitch for the fifth Serie A matchday
GOALS and KEY MOMENTS
At 17' Venezia miss a penalty kick. Lazio goalkeeper Mandas saves Yeboah's shot
At 51' Venezia-LAZIO 0-1. Goal by Zaccagni who cuts across with his right foot and beats Stankovic
LIVE MATCH REPORT
MATCH PREVIEW
Head down, focused on the pitch, without being distracted by anything or anyone. This is the request Gennaro Gattuso made to his Lazio squad ahead of the match against Venezia which, taking advantage of the big clash between Roma and Inter, could allow the Biancocelesti to head into the international break at the top of the table, 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 have suddenly become good. A month ago everyone was saying we had to fight for survival, against Mantova we made fools of ourselves", also stressing that against Venezia "it will be a tough match against a side that deserved to pick up more points, but we need to build on the second half we played against Milan. At this moment we must not make the mistake of being presumptuous — if we have got to where we are it is because we have shown determination, playing as a team and keeping our heads down".
There is no room, therefore, for thoughts unrelated to the pitch and to the team's performance. Not even those linked to the investigation into the alleged scheme against Lotito aimed at forcing the Lazio president to sell the club; a matter which, Gattuso assures, will have no psychological impact on performances because "I want us to avoid talking about things that do not concern us. We must prepare for matches by training, and as long as the wages come in we must focus on doing our job", the Biancocelesti manager cuts short.
Against the Lagunari, therefore, Gattuso will seek to resume the winning run interrupted by the draw against the Rossoneri, confirming the same starting lineup as the last home match at the Olimpico and counting on the support of the fans, who will continue to back their favourites away from home. And on the subject of the supporters, Gattuso wanted to "apologise to those who were at the stadium" against Milan because "I did not thank them". But with the pitch firmly at the centre of attention, the manager also finds time to dismiss the latest transfer rumour, linked to the possible arrival of Mauro Icardi. A scenario that does not exist, Gattuso reiterates, because "no one questions his value but we made our choices earlier by signing Pinamonti and Gudmundsson. When you make certain commitments to players you cannot then go back on your word. I spoke about it with the president and the sporting director — it is right that we stay as we are", he admits. A further demonstration of how Gattuso is counting 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 as to enjoy the international pause in a position that, just a month ago, not even the most optimistic of Lazio fans would have dared to imagine.
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