Lazio go top of Serie A as Gattuso declares 'we frankly don't belong up there'
Biancocelesti move top after nervy 2-1 win over Parma
Lazio moved to the top of the Serie A table on Saturday night, at least for a night, after a 2-1 home victory over Parma at the Stadio Olimpico. Gennaro Gattuso's side needed until the second half to break through, with goalkeeper Christos Mandas forced into three big saves on dangerous Parma counter-attacks before the hosts seized control.
Kenneth Taylor ran onto a Reda Belahyane pass that ricocheted off Diego Carlos to open the scoring, before the same defender, Diego Carlos, inadvertently turned a Nuno Tavares cross into his own net. There was no clean sheet to celebrate, however, as Simone Lontani's cross bounced in off the inside of the far post during added time for the final 2-1 result.
Gattuso keeps his side grounded
Despite sitting top of the table, Gattuso refused to entertain talk of title ambition and insisted his squad must keep its feet on the ground.
"I appreciated the mentality of the team. We got a bit worried with their counter-attacks in the first half and were naïve at times, but then we raised the tempo and took control of the situation," Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia. "The way this team trains, approaches the match, I can only be pleased. We improved in the last couple of games, we didn't take our foot off the gas the way we did against Milan and Monza, so that is a step in the right direction.
"Every match has its difficulties, but the side is in good shape, we can hurt our opponents, but only if we play at the right tempo. If we play with a sluggish tempo, we're not effective."
On the question of league position, the coach was blunt: "It depends on us, I feel at this moment we need to take it one game at a time. We frankly don't really belong up there, it's not something that touches us, but we are still writing a nice page in the history books of this club. Every match, another 200-300 people enter the stadium, so we've got to keep going.
"I want to thank the Curva Nord, as they waited for the lads when we entered the gates of the Stadio Olimpico. We've got to keep our feet on the ground, keep going with this enthusiasm, and then see where we end up."
Best start in club history
The victory represents the best ever start to a Serie A season in Lazio's history, with the Biancocelesti amassing seven victories and a 2-2 draw against Milan. With Roma held 3-3 by Napoli in a thriller earlier this evening, Lazio now sit four points clear of their city rivals in third place, and for at least a night are alone at the summit ahead of Inter's match against Fiorentina on Sunday.
No Europe seen as an advantage
With a midweek round of Serie A fixtures approaching, Gattuso was asked whether the lack of European commitments is a benefit rather than a hindrance for his squad.
"It does give us some benefits, because we can work hard in training, then rest the players, a bit like they do in England. In the last three months, we've given 20 days off to the players," he explained. "It's because we can work with great intensity for two days, then give a full day off, they are refreshed then both physically and mentally. That's what I call invisible recovery work, and it is certainly giving us an advantage."
Lazio have famously struggled over the last couple of seasons with financial fair play limitations, forcing the club to construct its squad on a very small budget.
Pellegrini and Patric squad decisions
Gattuso was also asked why Luca Pellegrini had been excluded from the squad list earlier in the campaign before being brought back in. He revealed the reasoning was tied to contract situations.
"He'll be a free agent in a few months, so the club quite rightly made its decision to exclude both Pellegrini and Patric. I am the coach, if the club decides that, then I have to accept it," replied Gattuso. "Once the summer transfer session was over, we could add two more players and some names were mentioned, but honestly I said no because I know the atmosphere in the locker room.
"Patric was sold, Pellegrini remained, and as he was behaving well in training, we let him play some friendly matches. That is where the decision was made.
"We know his contract is running down, but as long as he behaves the right way, we should give him a chance. I spoke to the club, they agreed, and he is part of the squad for now."
Ultras still absent in protest
The only negative note for Lazio remains the continuing absence of the ultras from home games. The hardcore supporters gathered in the streets again earlier in the day to stage a protest against President Claudio Lotito and have refused to enter the Stadio Olimpico for months.