Lazio’s choice at centre-forward has become clearer after a month in which Andrea Pinamonti and Mauro Icardi seemed to be moving around the same opportunity. Gennaro Gattuso has stood by the striker he wanted in August, leaving Pinamonti with a clearer route to establish himself in Rome.
Headline: Pinamonti’s clearer road after Lazio close the door on Icardi
SEO title: Lazio back Pinamonti as Gattuso rejects renewed Icardi move
SEO description: Lazio have ended their pursuit of Mauro Icardi, with Gennaro Gattuso reaffirming his faith in Andrea Pinamonti ahead of the trip to Venezia.
The decision
Lazio had considered Icardi after their move for Bamba Dieng did not come off. The Argentine took time over the proposal, while Gattuso consistently favoured Pinamonti as the forward for both footballing and dressing-room reasons.
Club president Claudio Lotito did not abandon the Icardi idea immediately. Even after the market had shut, he raised the possibility of bringing in the former Inter captain alongside Pinamonti. Gattuso repeated his August position: the coach wanted faith to remain with the Italian.
The matter has now been settled. Icardi will not join Lazio and could yet head for the Premier League. Pinamonti, who had repeatedly sought updates on the possible deal, no longer has that uncertainty around him.
When he said he had fought to arrive at Lazio, Pinamonti was referring to more than a straightforward move. Like Davide Frattesi, he accepted reduced terms to make the switch happen. He earns €1.8 million plus bonuses, having been on €2.5 million at Sassuolo, where his contract had been due to expire in June.
The two forwards have history. During Pinamonti’s time as a young player around Inter’s senior squad, Icardi offered him the use of a vacant apartment near his own home so he would not have hotel costs. Pinamonti has recalled how Icardi looked after him and drove him to training before he had a licence. Alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Icardi was one of his early footballing references.
There was a small reminder of that connection this week, when Pinamonti liked an Instagram post by Icardi featuring his partner Eugenia “China” Suárez. Their paths have crossed again, but not in the Lazio dressing room. Had Icardi arrived in August, Pinamonti might not be in Rome; had Gattuso accepted the later proposal, they would have been competing for the same place.
Sunday’s picture
Pinamonti’s opening weeks have reflected the late timing of his arrival. He began on the bench against Genoa before making his debut during the game, started at Udinese, then came on after half-time against Milan. He joined a group that had already been working intensely for around six weeks, and is still building towards his best condition through additional individual work.
Against Genoa, his only attempt came from a striker’s turn in the area. In Udine, he found little room against the hosts’ deep three-man defence. Milan offered another complicated setting: he had taken a knock to his foot at Udinese, and Gattuso initially selected Tijjani Noslin, looking for a more mobile forward. The decision was rewarded during the first half.
By the time Pinamonti entered, Milan had stretched the contest, Lazio were sitting deeper and the Rossoneri defenders had adopted close marking. He lost possession several times, each leading to a Milan transition. The circumstances did not favour him, though more will still be expected from a player given the central role now available.
Gattuso wants his number nine to press hard, work beyond the penalty area and still provide goals. Boulaye Dia had performed elements of that task by dropping short, linking play and running beyond the line, but without finding the net often enough. Dia’s departure has left Noslin as Pinamonti’s alternative, although Noslin’s goal against Milan has kept him firmly involved.
The coach believes Pinamonti can deliver the required all-round contribution once his fitness rises. The match at Venezia could offer him a return to the starting side, and a first proper chance to repay the confidence that kept Icardi outside Lazio’s door.
