Gattuso Unhappy With Lazio Performance Compares Isaksen to Ex-Chelsea Star Arjen Robben

FolioPitch.com – 12 October 2026 | Gennaro Gattuso was far from satisfied despite Lazio‘s 3-1 victory over Monza on Sunday, as the manager publicly expressed his frustration with his team’s second-half display. In his post-match comments, Gattuso Unhappy With Lazio Performance Compares Isaksen to Ex-Chelsea Star Arjen Robben, highlighting the Dane’s potential while criticising the overall performance.

Lazio started brightly at the U-Power Stadium, taking the lead in the third minute through Nuno Tavares, who opened his account for the club. Gustav Isaksen doubled the advantage 20 minutes later, also scoring his first goal of the season. Monza’s task became even harder when defender Lorenzo Lucchesi was sent off, reducing the hosts to ten men. However, the Biancocelesti failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and allowed Monza back into the game after the interval.

Saba Goglichidze pulled one back for the hosts just a minute into the second half, and Monza proceeded to dominate proceedings, coming close to an equaliser on several occasions. Lazio weathered the storm and secured the win through substitute Andrea Pinamonti, who scored the third goal in the closing stages. The result keeps Lazio level on points with league leaders Inter Milan, but Gattuso was in no mood to celebrate.

“It was a carbon copy of the game against Milan,” Gattuso said, referring to Lazio’s 2-2 draw earlier in the season. “If the first half had ended 4-0, it would have been a fair reflection. In the second half, we conceded a goal after one minute, and I didn’t like anything about our performance. We just sat back and coasted along, and we cannot afford to do that. We must not be afraid, and we got away with it today because they deserved to draw.”

The manager also pointed out tactical deficiencies, noting that his centre-backs picked up yellow cards and that his team struggled to win second balls against ten men. “Four or five times in the second half, Tavares and Zaccagni were playing on the same line, and I don’t like that,” he added.

Despite the criticism, Gattuso found positives in Isaksen’s performance. The Danish winger, who joined Lazio from Midtjylland, has struggled for consistency but showed glimpses of his talent. “He needs to get his legs going. When he starts moving his legs quickly, his qualities come to the fore. He is a player like Robben,” Gattuso said, comparing Isaksen to former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben, renowned for his trademark cut inside and left-footed shot. “In this game, he often moved inside, leaving the flank for Floriani, and he did very well.”

Gattuso Unhappy With Lazio Performance Compares Isaksen to Ex-Chelsea Star once more when discussing the winger’s development, emphasising that Isaksen must maintain his intensity to reach his full potential. The comparison to Robben is a significant vote of confidence for the 23-year-old, who will be hoping to build on his first goal of the campaign.

Another topic addressed by Gattuso was the situation of Romano Floriani Mussolini, the young full-back who has been a regular starter due to Adam Marusic’s injury. “From the very first day I arrived, I spoke to sporting director Fabiani because when a young player has that kind of explosive pace and is willing to work, he already has an advantage,” Gattuso revealed. “He’s an incredible lad who doesn’t say much but works hard. He could have left, but he asked me what role he could have here, and I told him he needed to work because I believed in him. Now he’s doing his part.”

Gattuso also touched on the attacking dilemma between Tijjani Noslin and Andrea Pinamonti. Noslin, who provided two assists and was instrumental in Monza’s red card, has been in fine form, while Pinamonti came off the bench to score Lazio’s third. “Pinamonti? He’s an intelligent and good lad. Noslin is in good condition, but his moment will come too. We’re waiting for him; he’ll give us a huge helping hand,” Gattuso said.

When asked about Lazio’s position in the league table, Gattuso was dismissive. “We’re not looking at the league table. We have to take things one day at a time. Our objective is to train properly, respect the rules and get all our players back to fitness.”

In conclusion, while Lazio secured a valuable three points, Gattuso’s dissatisfaction with the performance serves as a warning that the team must improve if they are to challenge for major honours. The comparison of Isaksen to Arjen Robben offers hope for the future, but the manager’s demanding standards will require a more consistent and resilient display in the coming weeks. As Gattuso Unhappy With Lazio Performance Compares Isaksen to Ex-Chelsea Star, it is clear that the Italian tactician expects much more from his squad, and the coming fixtures will test their mettle.