Lazio’s midfield is preparing to recover a familiar point of reference after the international break, with Danilo Cataldi nearing his first appearance of the season. The 32-year-old has spent the past two league fixtures on the bench, a careful step in a return programme that has required more patience than initially expected.
Cataldi underwent surgery in Barcelona on 27 May, with Professor Cugat treating the pubalgia issue that had kept him out. The extended pause in the calendar gave Lazio no reason to force the process, particularly after minor complications delayed the midfielder’s path back to full availability. Last week, however, he completed every training session alongside the squad without problems.
A short outing had been considered during the trip to Venezia, but the course of that match persuaded the staff to wait. The home meeting with Monza after the break is now the likely setting for Cataldi’s seasonal debut. Before then, he is expected to be tested in Sunday’s friendly against Arezzo at Formello.
A solution for Gattuso’s midfield
His return would offer Gennaro Gattuso a timely option in the deepest midfield role. Nicolò Rovella’s absence had left Lazio short of a natural organiser in that area, placing added pressure on the coach during the early phase of his work. Reda Belahyane’s renewed prominence has been one of the encouraging developments for the new Lazio, but Cataldi’s experience would broaden the choices available.
The midfielder knows the weight of the shirt and the rhythm of the club better than most. Across his Lazio career, he has made 276 appearances and scored 13 times. He was an important figure under both Maurizio Sarri and Marco Baroni, and now he has the opportunity to establish himself again under Gattuso as Lazio move into the next stretch of the championship.
