AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso is expecting a tough game from a ‘very physical’ Lazio side in Saturday’s crucial encounter.
The two sides meet at San Siro hoping to overturn inconsistent recent form and take a huge step towards achieving qualification for next season’s Champions League.
You can read our match preview here, while Rino offered his thoughts on the game.
“Lazio are a very physical team, in this aspect they are like Juventus,” he told reports.
“The always fill the penalty box well. Tomorrow, it won’t be enough to just play well, we will need great desire. We will have to play in the best possible way.
“I’d be happy to see us replicate the performance against Juventus, obviously without certain mistakes. I want to see the same mentality as a week ago. It has been a good week, we trained well.
“The referees? I don’t want to look for alibis, I only want us to continue working. Rocchi refereeing tomorrow’s game? It’s a guarantee, he is a great referee. One of the best in Italy.
“I really enjoyed the words of Maldini yesterday. I still have a two-year contract. My goal is to return to the Champions League, the rest is just gossip.
“I saw Samp-Roma, it was an open game decided by an episode. Atalanta combines quality and physicality, it seems they don’t struggle. Their mentality is fantastic.
“I agree with those who say that we aren’t using our set pieces properly. However, if Calhanoglu and Suso don’t raise the balls when taking the corners, there’s only so much I can do about it. Maybe I have to stand next to them with a whip [laughs].
Gattuso looks set to be without both Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lucas Paqueta for Saturday’s game, and the former Pisa boss provided updates on the duo, as well as Andrea Conti.
“Gigio should be with us again next week. Paqueta is improving, between today and tomorrow, he will run in the sand.
“Conti? Today we tried him. He is a player that can give us so much.
“Borini? Let’s see if he continues to play from start tomorrow. I saw a well-working midfield against Juventus, and tomorrow I’m sure that they will have a great game.”
