Gattuso ‘cannot pretend’ fan absence ‘doesn’t have an impact’ at Lazio | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso admits Lazio are being affected by the absence of their supporters, insisting it would be “hypocritical” to claim otherwise ahead of Monday’s Serie A clash with Udinese.

The Biancocelesti have made a perfect start to the 2026-27 Serie A campaign, winning both of their opening matches, and will look to maintain that record when they travel to Udinese on Monday.

However, Lazio continue to play their home matches without the usual support from their fans, something Gattuso believes inevitably has an effect on the team.

“I would be a hypocrite to say that the atmosphere does not weigh on us,” Gattuso told Lazio’s official channels, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“It does. It is a fact. You play in a beautiful stadium like the Olimpico and you don’t have your fans supporting you. After a goal, you cannot go under the Curva, and you cannot hear the whistles when things go badly.

“I think that is normal and part of our job. It is the extra thing. Football without fans is not football. It is another sport.”

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 16: SS Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso during the Coppa Italia match between SS Lazio and Mantova 1911 at Stadio Olimpico on August 16, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Gattuso hopes Lazio fans can return

Gattuso acknowledged that he was aware of the situation when he took charge and believes the squad must simply continue working while respecting the supporters’ decision.

“We have to be good at this. I knew there would be these difficulties,” he added.

“The only way is to continue, to be good and to make sure we are ready. Hopefully one day all of this will end and our fans will be given the opportunity to embrace us again and give us a hand.

“At the moment, we can do little. We talk about it and we have to respect their choice because they are coherent. That is a fact.

“I can only accept it, with the dream that one day the Olimpico will be full of our fans.”

Gattuso also reflected on Lazio’s response after a difficult start to the season, praising the attitude of a squad containing both new arrivals and long-serving players.

The former Italy coach said the players have shown a strong sense of belonging and reacted well after suffering a setback in the Coppa Italia.

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Davide Frattesi of SS Lazio celebrates after scoring an opening goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on August 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Gattuso: ‘I did not convince Frattesi’

The Lazio coach was also asked about Davide Frattesi, who joined the Biancocelesti after Gattuso had previously worked with him in the Italy setup.

Gattuso rejected the suggestion that he personally persuaded the midfielder to move to Rome.

“I did not convince anyone,” he said. “Frattesi came to Lazio because he wanted to and the club did everything to bring him here.

“I can say many things and I can talk. I have a wonderful relationship with him. I had the opportunity to coach him with the national team and a beautiful relationship was born.

“Whenever we had a national team camp, we often spoke, including about his situation.

“The thanks must go to him and to the club, which did everything to bring him back home.”

Lazio will now aim to extend their perfect league start against Udinese and continue building momentum despite the unusual atmosphere surrounding their home fixtures.