Davide Frattesi marked his move from Inter to Lazio by scoring the only goal in the win over Bologna, then made clear that Gennaro Gattuso was the decisive reason behind his transfer to the Rome club.
Speaking after the match, Frattesi said: “I’m here because of Gattuso.”
The midfielder has joined Lazio after leaving Inter and made an immediate impact, settling the game against Bologna with the match’s only goal. His strike gave his new side victory and ensured that his first contribution for the club came in the form of three points.
Frattesi’s comments after the final whistle placed Gattuso at the centre of his decision to move to the capital. The former Italy manager has recently taken charge of Lazio, and Frattesi said he made the switch specifically to work under his former national-team coach.
The player’s arrival and instant goal therefore link two changes at Lazio: the addition of Frattesi to the squad and Gattuso’s appointment as manager. Their relationship with Italy’s national team was a significant factor in the midfielder’s decision to continue his career in Rome.
For Lazio, the victory over Bologna provided an immediate reward following Frattesi’s arrival. The midfielder was the difference between the sides, scoring the goal that secured the result and gave the club a positive outcome against Bologna.
The result also comes with Lazio looking to improve on their position from last season. The Rome side finished ninth in the previous campaign, and Frattesi’s match-winning contribution offers an early sign of the influence the former Inter player can have after his move.
Gattuso’s presence was the defining element in Frattesi’s explanation of the transfer. Rather than presenting the move simply as a change of club, the midfielder directly connected his decision with the opportunity to play for the manager who previously led the Italian national team.
That connection was underlined just hours after Frattesi had helped Lazio to victory. His goal decided the contest, while his post-match statement explained why he had chosen Lazio.
The midfielder’s first appearance for the club has consequently combined an important result with a clear message about his ambitions. Lazio secured the win over Bologna, Frattesi scored the decisive goal, and Gattuso emerged as the central figure in the move that brought him to Rome.
