

FolioPitch.com – 27 October 2026 | Gennaro Gattuso expressed his pride in the Lazio supporters who made the trip to Reggio Emilia for Tuesday’s Serie A clash against Sassuolo, but the coach also delivered a self-deprecating warning about his own playing style. “Gattuso Make Lazio fans proud but with 11 players like me you won t win much,” he joked when asked about his team’s desire to emulate his never-say-die attitude. The remark came after midfielder Reda Belahyane revealed that the squad wants to copy the example of the Italy World Cup winner.
Lazio fans have been boycotting home games for over a year, but they continue to flock to away fixtures in impressive numbers. For this midweek round, between 5,000 and 10,000 supporters are reported to have traveled to the Mapei Stadium, a show of loyalty that clearly moved Gattuso. “It makes us proud,” he told DAZN Italia. “Naturally, we need to be ready, as Sassuolo are a team who play well, systematically have four attacking players and go on the attack very quickly. It’s a Tuesday early evening, we are grateful that they have come all this way to be by our side and hope to make them happy.”
The atmosphere could feel even more like a home game for Lazio because Sassuolo ultras announced they will wait outside the stadium for the first 15 minutes in protest against the kick-off time and the cost of this midweek round, urging others to follow suit. That gesture, combined with the large traveling support, sets the stage for an unusual evening in Reggio Emilia.
Gattuso also took time to praise Sassuolo coach Alberto Aquilani, his former Milan teammate during the 2011/12 campaign. “I have a great rapport with him. Aquilani was always a very intelligent player and is carrying that on in his coaching career. He takes a lot of risks, is very positive, I feel like Sassuolo deserved more points than they currently have, and I am not surprised. I am sure he’ll have a great career.”
The coach’s humility was on full display when he responded to Belahyane’s comments. “If you have 11 Gattuso players in your line-up, you won’t win much!” he laughed. “I think we are working hard, we show unity and play as a team, both when attacking and defending. If we keep that up, we can go far, but if we try to be fancy, don’t help each other out or lose humility, we will struggle. That is the secret.”
That message—Gattuso Make Lazio fans proud but with 11 players like me you won t win much—captures the essence of his management philosophy: hard work, unity, and humility over individual brilliance. It is a mantra that has already resonated with the Lazio faithful, who have endured a difficult period but continue to support their team away from home.
As Lazio prepare for the challenges ahead, Gattuso’s blend of tactical awareness and self-effacing humor continues to endear him to the fans. The coach knows that while he may not want 11 players exactly like himself, the spirit of the Gattuso Make Lazio fans proud but with 11 players like me you won t win much ethos—fighting for every ball and never giving up—is exactly what the club needs to move forward.
In conclusion, Gattuso’s Lazio may not be the most glamorous side, but under his guidance, they are building an identity based on collective effort and humility. The fans’ away-day devotion is a testament to that connection, and while the coach jokes about his own limitations, his impact on the team’s mentality is undeniable. As the season progresses, the Gattuso Make Lazio fans proud but with 11 players like me you won t win much mentality could prove to be the foundation for future success.
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