Gustav Isaksen has offered Lazio a timely reminder of his attacking quality while away with Denmark, but the next chapter of his season will be governed by recovery rather than momentum alone.
The winger was named player of the match in Denmark’s 2-0 victory over Wales, scoring the second goal after a forceful display. It was the version of Isaksen Lazio have been waiting to see: direct, lively and willing to attack the game after an opening stretch of the season affected by his summer operation and the fitness deficit that followed.
Denmark will host Portugal on Thursday before meeting Wales again on Sunday, leaving national-team coach Brian Riemer with a difficult workload decision. Isaksen is not yet considered capable of completing two full matches in quick succession, and Riemer is expected to consider leaving him out of the starting side against Portugal.
A promising Denmark performance, with a warning attached
Against Wales, Isaksen tested the goalkeeper with a left-footed volley from outside the area and was involved in another attack that ended with a VAR intervention. A finish from the move involving Rasmus Hojlund and Isaksen was ruled out for offside.
He eventually found his goal following a free-kick, striking high into the net to make the result safe. The performance showed the conviction and freedom that had been missing during parts of his Lazio campaign.
Riemer, however, stressed that Denmark must manage the player carefully after a lengthy rehabilitation period.
“We need to be cautious with Isaksen,” Riemer said. “He has come back from a long absence that involved a great deal of rehabilitation, and he has not yet reached in Serie A the level we know he can achieve. He was very sharp in many respects against Wales, but there are still details to improve. He was already tired by half-time, and that creates another issue when we play again on Thursday and Sunday. Right now, he cannot play two complete 90-minute matches, so we have to assess the situation.”
The concern is that a reduced role against Portugal could lead to a start in Sunday’s final meeting with Wales. For Lazio and Gennaro Gattuso, the central point is that Isaksen returns to Rome in better condition than he left, without being pushed beyond his current limits.
Gattuso has asked for patience
Isaksen missed the whole pre-season programme after undergoing surgery for pubalgia in the summer. His delayed preparation has left him short of match fitness, and Lazio have seen only intermittent evidence of the player who can stretch defences and carry the ball forward with purpose.
The 24-year-old believes the difficult beginning is linked to that disrupted summer.
“I had a minor operation during the summer and needed time to adjust,” Isaksen explained. “It was strange because I missed the entire pre-season. That may have affected my difficult start, but I feel that I am gradually getting fitter from match to match. I hope to return soon to the level I had before the summer break.
“I have had many positive conversations with Gattuso. He has told me to wait and take the time I need to be ready. Once I have earned my place, I hope to play much more.”
Gattuso has urged the Danish international to make recovery part of his work, rather than treating every training session as another chance to accelerate his return.
“He is a strong player and he has three gears, but he needs to be well,” the Lazio coach said. “He must learn to communicate more with the staff and, at times, work a little less, because he never holds back. Training matters, but recovery matters too.”
Lazio’s attacking options during the break
Isaksen’s progress comes while other attacking options are also being monitored. Matteo Cancellieri is unavailable after receiving stitches to his knee following a fall while on holiday. He is expected to resume group training next Wednesday, when Lazio return to work.
Albert Gudmundsson is due back from Iceland duty on Tuesday after sustaining a left-shoulder injury. There is no fracture, and an injection could allow him to recover without an extended absence.
For Isaksen, the international break has become more than a single encouraging night. His goal against Wales has given Lazio a sign that his sharpness can return, but the club’s task is to turn that sign into a sustained contribution across the Serie A season.
