Lazio's Gattuso calls Allegri streetwise and faults

Lazio's Gattuso calls Allegri streetwise and faults Napoli's late changes

The league leaders' coach has never beaten Allegri, and he says so. His verdict on the 4-1 defeat in Porto matches what Napoli supporters have been saying for three days.

by Gennaro SanninoSaturday 7 November, 15:14 CET· 53 min ago

Gattuso — Foto: lazionews.eu

"I don't trust him, he's streetwise, and that's why we'll have to be ready," said Gennaro Gattuso before Lazio's visit to the Maradona on Sunday 8 November, kick-off 12:30 CET (11:30 UK, 06:30 ET). He also recalled his history with Allegri: "Max was my captain in Serie B and my coach. History says I've never won against him."

His most pointed remark was about Porto. "You have to look at the first 70 minutes they played in Porto. They held their ground well under pressure, then clearly the substitutions didn't come." That criticism comes from the opposing coach, and it is the same one we have made of Allegri. Veiga put Porto ahead in the 71st minute, and Napoli made their first change in the 78th.

Gattuso also knows about the ritiro (a club-imposed retreat) in Pozzuoli. Napoli's players, he said, "are the first to have read that they are in a retreat and that for them it will be a final." Then he added: "It will be a final for us too."

Lazio arrive unbeaten and top of the table with 28 points, exactly double Napoli's 14. Sunday's game will show whether Allegri still deserves the reputation his former player gives him.