According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lazio manager Gattuso spoke at the Sports Festival in Trento about his team, his experiences with the national team, and his late sister. He also stated that among full-backs, only Nuno Mendes and Tavares are on his level.

Gattuso met former light heavyweight world champion Giacobbe Fragomeni in Trento, and their encounter was less an embrace than a physical collision: the sound of their back slaps could be heard as far as Bolzano. An hour later, Gattuso took the stage to speak about himself, visibly moved as he reflected on his sister Francesca, who passed away in 2020. He is a man who experiences a wide range of emotions, and that afternoon at the festival he spoke of resentment, gratitude, admiration, contentment, and also painful regret.

This year's Sports Festival theme was "Undefeated." When asked when he felt undefeated, Gattuso said: "On the day of the 2003 Champions League final against Juventus. That was my childhood dream, because I've always been a Milan fan. I remember the 1989 final against Steaua Bucharest in Barcelona, and we went to the victory parade. I had the feeling that we couldn't lose back then."

Regarding Lazio's chances of winning the Serie A title, Gattuso said: "We must take every game individually, and when we suffer setbacks, we must continue with the same desire."

Regarding his team's league position, Gattuso said he noticed the team's potential early in preseason training in Formello: "It was very hot back then, and the players never complained. I realized that this team was something special."

About Frattesi, Gattuso said: "I had the privilege of coaching him in the national team, and I always told him that he couldn't be satisfied with playing only 15 minutes per game. He must take responsibility. The decision to come here was truly incredible."

About Nuno Tavares, Gattuso said: "Among full-backs, only Nuno Mendes from Paris Saint-Germain is on his level. Nuno has everything, but at the beginning there were some tensions between us. I don't want talented people who do nothing, because I'm the opposite; I'm worse than others."

When asked how he feels watching his old games, Gattuso said: "I don't like watching them; I change the channel immediately. I can't bear it. My adrenaline used to rush when I played; my 19-year-old son used to show me what I did on the pitch when he was little. It's hard to be a good parent, and I wasn't convincing back then... Anyway, if I had a Gattuso like that in my team now, I wouldn't want him."

When asked if the current Gattuso sitting on the bench is the best Gattuso, he said: "Yes, that's possible, because in life there's always something to learn. Management skills constantly improve, and you can't buy experience at the supermarket. I wrote a book called 'If a man is born square, he won't die round,' but I must admit I'm much more adaptable today than before."

About his relationship with Lotito, Gattuso said: "We always argue, but that's actually a myth. He's a genius, incredibly intelligent. He has 4 or 5 phones, and he's difficult to deal with, but he speaks directly, which I like. I'm his employee, but I like working with honest people. And I'd turned him down two or three times before, so I chose Lazio."

Regarding the suggestion to "lose 4 fewer points in other games but win the Derby," Gattuso said: "I refuse. Even being ahead of AS Roma by just one round means nothing. We'll talk about the Derby when it comes."

About his relationship with Gasperini, Gattuso said: "He called me when I was having difficulties in Milan. He made me feel supported, and I've always remembered that. We're also a bit alike, both with strong personalities. Besides Sacchi, Gasperini is the coach who has changed football the most. We all want to do what he does, but it's hard to implement."

When asked which player or manager impressed him most in Serie A this month, Gattuso answered: "The referees. They've changed their whistle style, so the league is more interesting."

About rebuilding the national team without him, Gattuso said: "It hurts. If you analyze my experience as national team coach, you'll find few regrets, but... it still hurts. It's a huge disappointment. In the first months I had sleeping problems, then I told myself 'never mind...' and I even followed the second phase of the World Cup. But this scar will always remain."

When asked if love, passion for football, and resentment will always exist, Gattuso said: "Yes, resentment can also be endless, but that's wrong; it leads nowhere. I've learned over time: tomorrow is a new day."

About his relationship with God, Gattuso said: "For 15 years I've been taking cortisone for eye problems. If it were someone else, they might weigh 200 kg. There were times when I wanted to quit, but I have to keep going as long as God gives us strength."

About the most difficult moment in his life, Gattuso said: "I lost a very young sister 6 years ago; she was 37 at the time. I cannot dream of her, and that makes me very sad. I would give everything I have to spend an hour with her."

Regarding how much longer he will be a manager, Gattuso said: "As long as I can feel this tingling and this emotion." He added: "Then I hope my children let me be a grandfather."

Übersetzt von KI.

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