Gattuso calls Lazio the underdog for Napoli clash
Gennaro Gattuso insists there is no pressure on Lazio ahead of its Serie A clash with Napoli, adding he would be fortunate to even achieve a quarter of what Massimiliano Allegri has done in his career.
Lazio has been the surprise package in Serie A so far this campaign, earning 28 points from its first 10 matches.
But Gattuso, who coached the Partenopei between 2019 and 2021, winning the Coppa Italia, is calling his side the underdog for this one.
"It depends on how you look at it. We don't have any pressure on us, especially tomorrow," Gattuso said.
"We're aware of the fact that we will go to play in a tough stadium against a strong team that is going through a difficult period. It will take humility and for us to be at our best."
Gattuso then added that reaching 40 points and ensuring it will not get dragged into an unlikely relegation battle remain the first hurdles for Lazio to clear.
He said: "We have to think game by game, there are 12 points left for us to get, then, once we've hit 40 points, we'll have a big celebration for reaching our first goal."
While Gattuso has made a tremendous start to his first campaign in charge of Lazio, Allegri, who coached the former midfielder at AC Milan, has struggled early on at Napoli.
Allegri surprisingly cancelled his pre-match press conference 10 minutes before it was due to take place, with Napoli's players being forced into a training retreat amid rumours surrounding its head coach's future.
In three previous managerial meetings between the duo, all of which came when Gattuso was in charge of Milan and Allegri was with Juventus, the now-Lazio boss has suffered three defeats.
"Max was my captain in Serie B [with Perugia] and then my coach," Gattuso said of Allegri. "History says that I've never won against him.
"I hope to achieve a quarter of what he's achieved. Knowing him, I know that he does not suffer from stress. In moments of difficulty, he always knows the right things to do."
Napoli has picked up 14 points in its first ten Serie A matches this season, including only four wins.
