Juan Sebastian Veron believes Lazio can win Serie A after praising the spirit that has taken them to the top of the table under Gennaro Gattuso.
The Estudiantes La Plata president, who helped Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Lazio win the title in 2000, said the current standings were “not a trick of fate” and reflected the team’s performances so far.
“At the beginning of the season, I didn’t expect to see them at the top of the table,” Veron told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “But the current ranking is by no means a trick of fate.”
Veron continues to follow Lazio closely from Argentina and watches Gattuso’s side whenever they play. He said the team’s collective spirit reminded him of the group that won the title at the turn of the millennium.
“The spirit. It looks exactly like the spirit of the year we won the title,” he said. “Everyone is united, everyone is fighting for the ball, no one is holding back. The collective interest is above the individual, and with these qualities, believe me, anything is possible.”
Asked whether Lazio could go on to win the championship, Veron replied: “Why not? Tell me, since the start of this season, who has performed better than Lazio in Serie A? I’ll answer: no one.”
He acknowledged that fatigue could become a factor later in the campaign, but said the foundations of Lazio’s position were strong. He also credited the players for their contribution while highlighting Gattuso’s influence.
“The players are the ones on the field, they create attacks, they defend and score goals, so I think most of the credit should go to these lads,” he said. “However, in this Lazio team, I can see the coach’s imprint.”
Veron said Gattuso had earned the squad’s respect, established the tactical plan and created an atmosphere that could even be felt by supporters watching from the other side of the world.
Among the players, Veron singled out Frattesi, praising his runs from midfield and his ability to score.
“For me, he was an excellent midfielder even before joining Lazio, and now he’s doing amazing things,” he said. “Few people in Italy have his ability to make runs from deep. Moreover, he can score goals, and in football, that’s never a small matter.”
Veron said Lazio’s away performance against Sassuolo had impressed him, as had their response against Cagliari. He described a team prepared to work without the ball and accept personal sacrifice for the collective objective.
Although he had not expected Lazio to lead the league, Veron said the appointment of Gattuso had been central to their progress, particularly after a change of manager and significant squad changes. He warned that the team would need to manage both excitement and any future dip in morale.
The former midfielder rejected comparisons with the 2000 side, which included Nesta, Mihajlovic, Sergio Conceicao, Salas, Boksic, Roberto Mancini, Almeyda, Simeone and Nedved.
“My Lazio back then was completely different from this one today,” he said. “The team today, in my opinion, was truly a dream team back then, and it could compete for Champions League qualification even now.”
Veron said the current team had less quality and imagination, although it was faster and more compact, with greater emphasis on power than skill.
He nevertheless praised Gattuso for giving Lazio character, unity and tactical discipline, adding that the coach was making an impressive return after an unsuccessful spell as national team coach.
Veron recalled Eriksson’s message after victories: “You haven’t done anything yet, remember that. The strength of a team lies in consistency.”
That approach, he said, ultimately helped Lazio win the league. He believes the same commitment now exists under Gattuso, with even substitutes moving in the same direction.
“The key is not to relax even an inch,” Veron said. “The best part is yet to come.”
