Rino Gattuso’s side return from the international break sharing first place with Inter and Roma, but the coach has made it clear that the early table will not shape his message before the visit of Monza. After five rounds, the emphasis is on restoring sharpness, raising the team’s aggression and navigating an injury list that still limits his options.
Key takeaways
- Gattuso’s team resume the season level at the top with Inter and Roma.
- Monza are expected to arrive with energy and courage, demanding a high-tempo response.
- Dele-Bashiru and Cataldi are available again, while Cancellieri, Gudmundsson, Marusic and Rovella remain concerns.
- Isaksen is set to replace Cancellieri, with Doekhi a possible defensive alternative to Sutalo.
- Provstgaard returned after international duty having played every minute, but Gattuso considers him physically capable of continuing.
Gattuso asks for intensity rather than attention on the table
The standings have offered an encouraging opening picture, yet Gattuso does not want his players distracted by a position that can change quickly at this stage of the campaign. His focus is entirely on the next fixture and the demands Monza will bring.
“I do not look at the table and I do not suffer from dizziness,” Gattuso said. “I only look at my team and the match ahead. Monza will be far from simple. They are a young side with energy and courage. They will press us, so we must play with real intensity.”
The coach does not expect his team to unsettle Monza simply through possession. In his view, trying to surprise the visitors with patient passing alone would be the wrong approach; the side must instead be forceful and aggressive from the opening minutes until the final whistle.
That requirement comes from two recent performances that Gattuso believes fell short of the standard. He pointed to the opening half at Venezia and the second period against Milan as moments when his players did not impose themselves sufficiently. Improving that edge is now one of the priorities for the next phase of the season.
The break gave the coaching staff time to work with those who remained at the club, despite the absence of several internationals and injured players. Gattuso joked that he and his staff had put the available group through demanding sessions, while also ensuring they received enough rest. Hard work, he argued, must be balanced by proper recovery.
Selection calls after the break
As ever after an international window, Gattuso must decide whether to rely on those who have returned from national-team commitments or give them time to recover. He has discussed the issue with his staff and acknowledged that coaches are usually inclined to preserve a settled line-up whenever possible.
Most of the returning internationals came back in positive condition and with manageable playing time, however. Provstgaard is the exception in terms of workload, having not missed a minute during the break. Gattuso nevertheless has no immediate concern over the Danish player’s capacity, describing him as having an “Iron Man” physique.
The medical picture remains less straightforward. Dele-Bashiru and Cataldi have returned to the group, but Cancellieri has been ruled out until the Juventus match. Gudmundsson will need to wear his brace for another 10 to 12 days before his condition can be reassessed. Marusic and Rovella are still unavailable.
The starting side is therefore likely to resemble the one used at Venezia before the pause. Isaksen is expected to come in for Cancellieri, while the other potential change could arrive in defence, where Doekhi may replace Sutalo. For Gattuso, though, the greater issue is not the number of alterations but whether his players can reconnect with the intensity that carried them through the opening weeks.
