Gattuso: Lazio ‘took a punch in the face’ with shock Coppa Italia elimination | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso apologised to Lazio fans after suffering a 2-0 home loss to Serie B side Mantova, facing elimination from the Coppa Italia in the Round of 64: ‘We took a punch to the face,’ he said.

Lazio lost 2-0 to Mantova at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday and were eliminated from the Coppa Italia.

Lazio eliminated from Coppa Italia Round of 64

“We took a beating, and I’m putting my face on it. Now, heads down and get on with it,” Gattuso told Sportmediaset.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, and we have to move forward. We apologise. Just a few months ago, Lazio were in the final, and today we’ve been eliminated by a Serie B team.

“We had a few chances, but in the first half we only did things halfway; we weren’t aggressive,” Gattuso continued.

“There were chances, so some good things were done. We have to stay united and preserve our sense of belonging.

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)

“Believe me, the players are working well, but in 40 days it’s difficult to absorb the ideas. Tonight we took a punch in the face, and we felt it. We know the fans aren’t happy; we hope to turn things around.”

Gattuso refused to answer a question about Lazio’s transfers. The Biancocelesti had confirmed the signing of Davide Frattesi just a few days before yesterday’s game, and he was introduced at minute 71 yesterday.

“I don’t want to talk about it [the transfer market],” Gattuso concluded.

“Because it would be too easy to focus on what this team is missing.”