Gennaro Gattuso, Lazio’s fiery coach, laid it all out after their 2-2 draw with Milan, flat-out saying the empty Stadio Olimpico made it “feel like the COVID period.” Why? Because Biancocelesti fans are still protesting against owner Claudio Lotito, and it’s making an already tough situation even tougher. Gattuso claims “seeing the team not give up pleases me,” but that stadium atmosphere is clearly weighing heavy.
A Record Slips Away After Milan’s Stunning Comeback
The Aquile probably thought they were cruising to a dream start to their Serie A season. They were up 2-0 at halftime, with goals from Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin, looking totally in control. That would’ve been a historic four wins out of four to kick things off, a feat Lazio has *never* achieved in their history. But then, Milan decided to switch gears. Diego Moreira came off the bench and hammered home two goals in just 120 seconds, totally flipping the script and getting Milan right back in it. Gattuso confessed his side “struggled” in the second half, acknowledging Milan’s “quality” and that his team “dropped deep.” He called the two goals conceded “wonder strikes,” admitting the feeling was they “could have conceded another two” and they were “good not to get hammered.” Talk about a gut punch.
Empty Seats, Echoing Silence: ‘This Is Not Football’
But the real kicker, the thing that’s clearly bugging Gattuso the most, isn’t even the blown lead. It’s the silent stadium. Lazio ultras did show up to meet the team bus from the Formello ground, which is awesome, but then they totally refused to enter the Stadio Olimpico. This boycott against President Claudio Lotito meant more Milan fans were in the stands than Lazio supporters, making it feel like an away fixture at home. Gattuso didn’t mince words: “Seeing a stadium without fans is not football to me.” He doubled down, saying it “is not easy to play here,” with the stadium only at “20-30 per cent capacity.” The coach misses those 50,000 fans pushing them on, and honestly, who wouldn’t?
Despite the frustration of the draw and the crushing silence from the stands, Gattuso is trying to stay positive. He’s “satisfied” with how his players reacted to letting that two-goal lead slip, seeing “a team that is alive.” He feels they’re “on the right track” and that seeing the lads sad shows how much they gave. Lazio has to keep putting in “dignified performances” and working seriously. It’s a tough spot, but Gattuso believes this 2-2 draw, while not a win, is “part of the growth” for a team that refuses to give up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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