Gattuso Impressed as Lazio Beat Under-20 Side 3-1 in Pre-Season Opener

FolioPitch.com – 20 July 2026 | New Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso expressed satisfaction after his side’s first pre-season friendly, where Gattuso impressed as Lazio beat Under-20 side 3-1 at the Formello Training Center on Monday. The match served as an early test for the squad ahead of the 2026-27 Serie A campaign, with Gattuso fielding a mix of regular starters and fringe players in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Despite fielding a senior-heavy lineup, Lazio found themselves trailing at half-time after a defensive lapse allowed Under-20 forward Avram to break through and slot home. The first half saw several wasted chances from Mattia Zaccagni, Tijjani Noslin, and especially Petar Ratkov, leaving the score 1-0 in favor of the younger side at the break.

Gattuso made multiple changes for the second half, bringing on fresh legs including striker Gabriele Artistico. The ex-Spezia man quickly made an impact, winning a penalty after being brought down and converting it to level the score. Artistico then earned another spot-kick when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was fouled, and he stepped up again to give Lazio the lead. Sana Fernandes added a third late on to seal the 3-1 victory.

Speaking after the match, Gattuso praised his players’ efforts while acknowledging areas for improvement. “We’ve got to compliment the lads, who had a really good week in training,” he said. “We knew it would be a bit of a struggle, but we did some good things, and above all we’re glad not to have new injuries.” Gattuso impressed as Lazio beat Under-20 side 3-1, but the coach stressed that the team must continue to work hard. “We know that we have to improve in many areas, but we’ve got the right spirit and mentality,” he added.

The Biancocelesti were without Nicolò Rovella, who was suffering from flu symptoms, and Nuno Tavares, who has a knee inflammation. Gattuso confirmed that both are expected to return to training soon. The friendly also gave match fitness to several players who had limited minutes last season, including midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and winger Sana Fernandes.

Gattuso impressed as Lazio beat Under-20 side 3-1, but the result was secondary to the tactical insights gained. The new coach experimented with his defensive setup and midfield combinations, noting that the team showed good intensity in the second half. “We played against a young, energetic team, and they tested us. That’s exactly what we needed at this stage,” Gattuso remarked.

Lazio will continue their pre-season preparations with a series of friendlies ahead of the Serie A opener, which is likely to be against a top-flight opponent. Gattuso emphasized that the squad is still learning his methods. “We are working on our pressing and positional play, and the players are absorbing it well. But we need to be patient; Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he joked.

The 3-1 win was a positive start, and Gattuso impressed as Lazio beat Under-20 side 3-1, setting a positive tone for the weeks ahead. The club will now prepare for more challenging tests, with the coach confident that the team is on the right track. “The spirit in the dressing room is excellent, and that’s half the battle. If we continue to work like this, we will be ready for the season,” Gattuso concluded.