Gattuso Dealt With Injury Blow as Lazio Midfielder Could Remain Out Until October | OneFootball

Lazio will start the season with limited midfield options, as Danilo Catladi has been nursing a groin injury that required surgical intervention.

Danilo Cataldi Was Crucial for Lazio Last Season

After spending the 2024/25 season at Fiorentina, the Lazio youth product returned to Formello last summer, as the Viola opted against exercising their option to buy him. This proved to be a timely boost for Maurizio Sarri, especially with the club prevented from signing new players.

With Nicolo Rovella out for the vast majority of the campaign, Cataldi reclaimed his role as the Biancocelesti’s main deep-lying playmaker. But unfortunately for the Roman, his sacrifices for the team returned to haunt him.

Cataldi Still Need Time on the Sidelines

As Il Messaggero explains, Cataldi was suffering from groin pain for months, but insisted on playing because the team needed him amid the shortage of options, chiefly due to Rovella’s absence. At the end of the season, the experienced midfielder finally underwent surgery in Barcelona.

But as the Roman newspaper explains, Cataldi’s condition was more severe than that of Mattia Zaccagni, Rovella, and Gustav Isaksen, who all had similar surgeries in recent years, potentially due to delays. Therefore, the source believes the Lazio youth product won’t return to the field before October.

Cataldi Leaves Lazio Short of Options in Midfield

After missing the entire pre-season, Cataldi would certainly require additional time to reach his peak athletic condition after he resumes training. Therefore, it could be a while before he starts a match for Lazio. In the meantime, Gattuso will be hoping that Rovella remains fit, while the young Bruno Galassi could seize the opportunity to earn some playing time after impressing in pre-season.