Ex Arsenal Man Discusses Special Rapport With Lazio Fans, Sarri, Tudor & Dybala Derby Incident

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The Laziali

·27 September 2024

Ex Arsenal Man Discusses Special Rapport With Lazio Fans, Sarri, Tudor & Dybala Derby Incident

Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi weighed in on several topics in a long interview with FreeFoot (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), including his great relationship with the Biancocelesti supporters, as well as his rapport with his former managers Maurizio Sarri and Igor Tudor.

Joining Lazio

The Frenchman had made a name for himself during his earlier stints at Arsenal and Olympique Marseille. So when he arrived in Rome in the summer of 2023, thousands of Lazio fans were waiting for him at the airport, and this is how a special bond was formed, explains the 25-year-old.

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When I arrived at Lazio and signed the contract, there were thousands of supporters waiting for me at the airport. This warmed my heart and made me want to fight for them. My personality fits in with the fanbase. This is a crowd with great energy and enthusiasm that lives for the club and is always close to us, even in difficult moments, they always give us strength and enthusiasm. You know that you can count on them. Even when we travel, the away sector is always full. Since I arrived there has been a great atmosphere at the Stadium.

Relationship With Maurizio Sarri & Distaste for Igor Tudor

Guendouzi shared a good relationship with Sarri as well but was forced to reunite with Tudor whom he had clashed with during their time together at Marseille.

I really appreciate Sarri’s style because we always had to keep possession, create plays and push towards the goal. I made a lot of progress on a tactical level with him. But then Igor Tudor came back. His style of football isn’t really my cup of tea, but you have to adapt to any system. But surely it wasn’t a happy period for me.

Derby della Capitale & Fight With Paulo Dybala

The midfielder also discussed the significance of the Derby della Capitale for the Lazio fanbase, and looked back on the incident with Paulo Dybala last season, when the Argentine was seen taunting him by recalling the World Cup triumph of France.

The Derby is greatly important for everyone, for the club and for all those who love Lazio. It is an atmosphere that I have never experienced, not even in France or England. This derby goes beyond in terms of enthusiasm, even on the pitch. This is a war you want to win for your people. I will always give everything for my club. Dybala gave me a blow, then he saw that they were winning and he went a bit wide. I didn’t like it and I took it with my hands to the face. These are not things that should be done, but he took the opportunity to show me his shin guard which for him was synonymous with his victory with Argentina in the World Cup.

Current Feelings at Lazio

Finally, Guendouzi reiterated how happy he is to be at Lazio, especially following the arrival of his old Marseille allies Nuno Tavares and Samuel Gigot.

I’m very happy here, it’s going really well. I’m having fun, I play in the Europa League and we have a good team. I was also reunited with my former OM teammates Nuno Tavares and Samuel Gigot. Now I’m thinking about the present and that is Lazio. It’s the most important thing at the moment. Forza Lazio and Allez les Bleues!