Gattuso Thanks Frattesi for Accepting Lazio Move, Hopes to Keep Romagnoli: “Like a New Signing”

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The Laziali

·25 August 2026

Gattuso Thanks Frattesi for Accepting Lazio Move, Hopes to Keep Romagnoli: “Like a New Signing”

Gennaro Gattuso was grateful to his Lazio players for their solid performance in Bologna, reserving special praise for new signing, Davide Frattesi.

Lazio Beat Bologna in Serie A Opener

The Biancocelesti began their Serie A campaign on a positive note, beating their Emilian hosts at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara thanks to Frattesi’s solitary strike. This victory came just eight days after the shocking Coppa Italia elimination at the hands of Mantova.

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Gennaro Gattuso Noted Different Lazio Approach

In his post-match press conference (via Il Messaggero), Gattuso explained that the team showed more determination off the ball, especially Boulaye Dia and Kenneth Taylor, who pressed high.

Nothing has changed in a week. We simply have to believe in what we are doing, without staying halfway. If you press the ball carrier half-heartedly, you leave yourself exposed to counter-attacks in open space. We worked well with Taylor and Dia in the first press, then we often risked one-on-ones and the centre-backs did well. I’m happy with the group I’m coaching.

Christos Mandas Protected Lazio’s Lead in Bologna

The Calabrian manager also applauded Christos Mandas for his formidable display between the sticks, while urging his players to improve in the final third.

I don’t know where we will end up, and I don’t even want to think about it. I just want to give the team an identity. The objective is to suffer less. Today Mandas kept us alive and we were also lucky. In Serie A, every match is a battle. We have to improve in the final 20 metres because we get there well, but then our decisions aren’t brilliant. If I started talking about the transfer market, I would be disrespecting my squad.

Alessio Romagnoli Could Be a ‘New Lazio Signing’

With less than a week left before the end of the summer transfer market, Alessio Romagnoli’s fate remains undecided. Nevertheless, Gattuso would be delighted to work with his former AC Milan defender again.

Alessio has had tendon problems. This week he only trained on Sunday and gritted his teeth to be with us. I already had him at Milan; he’s a good lad and an exemplary professional. We’ll see what happens, but his staying would be like a new signing for us.

Player Ratings: Bologna 0-1 Lazio – Decisive Frattesi, Sensational Mandas

Gattuso Thankful to Davide Frattesi for Joining Lazio

Lazio raised eyebrows by signing Frattesi from Inter Milan, and Gattuso believes the match winner should be thanked for agreeing to join the club in its current dire state.

It’s not as though we had the right to have a player like him. A player of his calibre who accepts coming from Inter to Lazio, with all due respect, can only be thanked. He accepted the challenge despite all our difficulties. Someone else in his place wouldn’t have come. Chapeau to him, but also to all the lads. It’s a pleasure to work with this group, which deserved an evening like this. Today I kept Davide on the bench because he hadn’t worked much with us. He had only completed six or seven training sessions and still needs to understand what I want.

Gattuso Likes Romano Floriani Mussolini

When Adam Marusic left the pitch early with an injury, the coach decided to bring in Romano Floriani Mussolini instead of the more experienced Manuel Lazzari, thus confirming the new pecking order.

The lad has a great engine. I respect Lazzari, who has been here for eight years, but I like Romano. He has a great engine and also plenty of room for improvement.

Why Petar Ratkov Isn’t Playing

Gattuso was then asked about the unsettled Petar Ratkov, who was kept on the bench for the duration of the match. The coach reiterated that the Serbian’s characteristics are simply ill-suited to his playing system.

I have nothing against him. He is a penalty-box player. But I need a profile who is more capable in the first press, more aggressive. In that role I need more running power, a more dynamic striker. Let’s see if we can find a solution.

Gattuso Quashes Rumours of Arguments with Claudio Lotito

Gattuso denied any altercations with Lazio president Claudio Lotito and sporting director Angelo Fabiani.

I’m 48 but it feels like I’m 90. I don’t read anything that’s written. They told me the newspapers wrote that I had argued with Lotito and Fabiani. There was no confrontation. We went out against a Serie B team, what was I supposed to expect, compliments?! I can’t give up at the first difficulty. Today we haven’t done anything. The difficulties will remain.

Gattuso Prefers an Empty Stadium to a Small Crowd

Interestingly, Gattuso would rather play at a completely empty Stadio Olimpico than a small crowd, with every insult being heard.

I’d prefer nobody to come to the Olimpico, because when you hear the insults and whistles of 5,000 people, you suffer. The situation isn’t easy, but it mustn’t become an excuse. The Coppa Italia defeat was so bad and so painful that all we could do was raise our hands and apologise.

Danilo Cataldi & Luca Pellegrini’s Conditions

Finally, the Lazio head coach confirmed that Danilo Cataldi is enduring a difficult recovery process following his groin surgery, while Luca Pellegrini is also out with an injury.

Danilo is going to Barcelona tomorrow. In two days it will have been three months since his operation. Let’s see what the surgeon who operated on him tells him. Pellegrini has suffered an injury; we’ll see what the next scans show. To the fans I can only say thank you. They are fundamental for us, but their consistency is a fact.