Table of Content
Lazio secured a dominant 6-2 victory over Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium on Tuesday, a match highlighted by a massive turnout of away supporters. Despite the game being held on a weeknight nearly 300km from Rome, 10,000 Lazio fans traveled to the stadium, outnumbering and outvoicing the home crowd as part of an ongoing protest against club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Divided Club
The impressive away attendance stands in stark contrast to the situation at the Stadio Olimpico, where home crowds have plummeted due to a long-standing feud between organized fan groups and Lotito. Supporters accuse the owner of neglecting the team and showing disrespect toward the fanbase. While average home attendances have dropped to just over 10,000 this season, the traveling support has remained fervent, demonstrating that the boycott is directed solely at the club’s ownership rather than the players.
Lazio’s performance on the pitch has been stellar, marking their best start to a season in club history. The win over Sassuolo was their eighth in nine matches, briefly placing them at the top of the Serie A table. This resurgence has been led by head coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose appointment was initially met with low expectations. Gattuso expressed his appreciation for the traveling fans, stating, “I closed my eyes and imagined we were in a full Stadio Olimpico. Ten thousand people travelling 300km on a Tuesday makes me happy.”
Goal-Scoring Chaos
The match itself was a high-scoring affair. Kenneth Taylor opened the scoring for Lazio in the second minute, though Sassuolo responded quickly when a Kristian Thorstvedt shot deflected off Josip Sutalo to equalize. Lazio regained the lead through Gustav Isaksen in the 13th minute, followed shortly by a historic moment as Romano Floriani Mussolini—the great-grandson of former dictator Benito Mussolini—netted his first Serie A goal.
Sassuolo’s difficulties increased when Thorstvedt was sent off in the 31st minute for a challenge on Mattia Zaccagni. Despite being a man down, the hosts managed a goal from Sebastiano Esposito before half-time. However, Lazio pulled away in the second half with a header from Zaccagni and two long-range strikes from Tijjani Noslin. Sassuolo goalkeeper Stefano Turati prevented a larger margin of defeat by saving two penalties, one from Zaccagni and another from Davide Frattesi.
Gattuso’s Impact
Gattuso’s influence on the squad has been a key factor in their current form. Players like Taylor and Zaccagni have thrived under his management, with the coach reportedly playing a significant role in persuading key talent to remain at the club during the summer. While the team’s success has been unexpected following an early exit from the Coppa Italia, the tension between the supporters and the club hierarchy remains unresolved.
Regarding the potential for reconciliation between the fans and the owner, Gattuso noted that he cannot influence the situation. “Of course I’ll talk to him,” the manager said of Lotito. “He’s a very intelligent person, but the choices are his. I would love to see lots of fans at the stadium, but I can’t change their minds or the president’s. That’s a question for them.”
