After beating Bologna on the opening day of the league season, Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso spoke at a press conference. Here is what he had to say.
With the arrival of Pinamonti, do you feel able to set a target for this Lazio side?
"Nothing has changed since last week. The only thing that changes is believing strongly in what you are doing. If we want to play this way, we know we have to work a lot. Under Sarri the team did completely different things. What changes is the attitude, meaning believing in what you do. We were very good out of possession, both with Taylor and with Dia. We did well with our references, we took risks one-on-one but our centre-backs behaved well. I am happy with the lads I am coaching, they are giving me everything. I don't know where we will get to, we want to give this team an identity. Target? It is to become a team and suffer as little as possible. Mandas was heavily criticised but he kept us alive. We are in Serie A, all matches are tight. We will have many difficulties, we have to work. Some choices are not yet brilliant, we make many mistakes. We have to improve. Transfer market? It is disrespectful if I talk about who should arrive or not. We are enjoying this win."
How are Dele and Marusic?
"Both have hamstring problems, we'll see tomorrow and carry out tests."
Would the biggest signing be Romagnoli staying?
"Yes, then we need to understand the dynamics and what has happened in recent days. He had some tendon problems, yesterday he trained and gritted his teeth to be with us. I can't say anything about him, we know each other well. We'll see. He is a good lad, just like Frattesi. A player like that wasn't really for us, with all due respect to Lazio. We congratulate him for accepting, another player would not have come in this situation. Chapeau to everyone, it is a pleasure to work with them. It is a night we must enjoy."
Why was Frattesi on the bench?
"He has done little work with us, that's all. Today he also knew that he had to play at least half an hour. And that was the choice."
Floriani coming on?
"It's a signal... Lazzari knows it, I like Floriani, he has an engine, he has plenty of room for improvement. And that is the choice."
What role can Ratkov have?
"He is a penalty-box player, he knows how to move very well. I need players for the first press, in that role I need more legs and sharpness. I have nothing against him, he moves well. We'll see if we can find a solution."
How did you experience this week? Is it your victory?
"This is the team's victory, not mine. I don't read anything. They told me you wrote that I argued with Fabiani and Lotito, it's not true. There was no confrontation. What should there have been? Should they congratulate you? It is right that they hammer you after Mantova, it's our job. I knew where I was coming to, about all the difficulties. I can't give up straight away, but today we have done nothing. The fact remains of playing at the Olimpico.... it's better if nobody comes, because if you then play badly you can hear everything. Anyone who has played football knows how hard it is to hear the abuse from the stands, it isn't easy. I lived this week calmly, without reading anything. I didn't reply to anyone... I didn't argue with anyone, there was no reason. There was only a lot of disappointment, that's all. And we move forward."
How are the other injured players? Cataldi, Sutalo...
"Cataldi is going to Barcelona tomorrow, the three months still haven't passed, he has a check-up and we'll see. He is working, he has ups and downs. We'll see what they tell him. Pellegrini stopped, he had an injury, we'll see what today's scan says. Sutalo has arrived, he has a calf problem, his condition is not the best. We have to get him back on his feet.