Lazio Parma Gattuso ended with the Biancocelesti alone at the summit of Serie A, at least for one night, after a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico on October 24, 2026. The result extended Lazio’s unbeaten start to eight matches and lifted them four points clear of Roma, who are third after a 3-3 draw with Napoli earlier.
How the Match Was Won
The first half produced no goals, but it was not without incident. Parma threatened on the counter-attack and goalkeeper Christos Mandas was called upon to make three important saves to keep the scores level at the break.
Lazio found their breakthrough in the second half when Kenneth Taylor scored the opening goal. The move began with a pass from Reda Belahyane that deflected off Parma defender Diego Carlos and fell into Taylor’s path. The lead was doubled when Diego Carlos turned a Nuno Tavares cross into his own net. Parma pulled one back in added time when Simone Lontani’s cross went in off the far post, but Lazio held on for the win.
Gattuso's Measured Response
After the match, coach Gennaro Gattuso was careful not to inflate expectations. He said the team had improved over the last couple of games and had not dropped its intensity as it had against Milan and Monza. Tempo, he explained, is crucial for effectiveness; when it drops, the side becomes ineffective. He praised the team’s mentality and said he was pleased with both the training and the match approach.
Gattuso acknowledged that the first half had brought some worry about Parma’s counter-attacks and that his team was naive at times. But once Lazio raised the tempo, he felt they controlled the game. He stressed the need to take it one game at a time and said Lazio do not really belong at the top. The top position, he added, does not affect the team.
Record Start and a Growing Crowd
This is Lazio’s best ever start to a Serie A season, with seven wins and one draw — the 2-2 against Milan — from eight matches. Gattuso described the team as writing a positive page in the club’s history. He also noted that attendance is growing by 200-300 per match and thanked the Curva Nord for waiting for the team.
That support comes amid an ongoing protest. The ultras have refused to enter the Stadio Olimpico for months in opposition to president Claudio Lotito, and the dispute continues without a clear end in sight.
The Advantage of an Empty Calendar
Without European commitments this season, Lazio have been able to train more and rest players. Gattuso cited 20 days off for players over three months and described the rest strategy as invisible recovery work. The pattern, he said, is two days of intense training followed by one day off. That extra recovery time, he believes, gives the team an advantage.
Squad Decisions and Pellegrini's Return
Luca Pellegrini and Patric were excluded from the squad list. Gattuso explained that the club made the decision and that he accepted it as coach. He also said he had said no to some transfer names because of the locker room atmosphere. Patric was sold, while Pellegrini remained and will be a free agent in a few months.
Pellegrini was later reintegrated after good training and friendlies. Gattuso said the club agreed to let him play. The coach also noted that the team is in good shape and can hurt opponents at the right tempo.
What Comes Next
Lazio’s position at the top is guaranteed only for one night. Inter play Fiorentina on Sunday, and a midweek Serie A round follows. Gattuso’s message, though, was clear: keep feet on the ground and focus on the next game.
