The match at Formello gave the Lazio coach an opportunity to provide minutes to players returning from injury and those who have had limited involvement during the season.
Matteo Cancellieri opened the scoring before Diogo Leite added a second, with Nicolò Rovella completing the victory in the second half. Albert Gudmundsson also returned to action, playing the first 45 minutes after his shoulder injury.
Gattuso was particularly pleased that the friendly passed without another injury, while explaining that the two days leading into the match had involved intensive work.
“Nobody got injured, that's the positive thing,” he said with a laugh. “We have had two days of high intensity and today we are satisfied. The formation? It changes very little. What makes the difference is the mentality and the willingness to work hard.
“We wanted to give everyone playing time. Cataldi, Rovella and Gudmundsson needed minutes, as did Doekhi, who hadn't played for a long time. In my opinion, Rovella can play alongside Belahyane as a mezzala. He is a dynamic player, although naturally he needs to get his fitness back. I am very satisfied with the way he has worked this week.”
Gattuso also provided an update on the players currently receiving treatment, explaining that the club was waiting for further medical assessments before issuing definitive information.
“I have made a note of a few players in the medical department. Nuno Tavares, Zaccagni and Frattesi will have scans on Monday. We have taken a few days because the swelling needs to go down, so we can get a clearer picture.
“Zac is training and is already doing some work on the pitch. With Sutalo and Marusic, we are going to wait a few more days before carrying out the checks, and then we will issue statements. I hope Sutalo won't be out for two or three months. It is right not to issue statements until we are certain about the diagnosis, whether there is a rupture and the extent of any injuries.”
The coach then turned to Cancellieri, insisting that the forward has the potential to contribute more regularly, particularly in front of goal.
“Cancellieri has to improve. I spoke to him yesterday and he has potential. He is young and has all the qualities. When Matteo is fit, he can run at you and get away. He needs to improve in front of goal because he could already have scored four or five goals this season. We are working on that, we speak to him often and I believe he can do much more.
“We have to be good at eliminating those 10 or 15 minutes when he disappears from the game.”
Gattuso also explained why he has been demanding more attacking runs from Davide Frattesi, believing the midfielder can become one of the team's most effective players when arriving in the penalty area.
“I argue with him quite a lot because I believe he can become one of the best players at making runs into the box. I get on his case when he comes towards the ball to link play because there is no need. If Taylor is already there and he comes as well, then we are all in the same place.
“When I won the ball as a player, every day I thought about scoring goals. I played it short because I had players of great quality around me. I want to see the run he made at Napoli four or five times a match. A player like that is fundamental. Even central defenders can find themselves in the penalty area, as Hermoso has shown.
“This style of play encourages you to attack forward. We are making the difference by attacking the defensive line, and it cannot be just him doing it. He is good at it, and it is no coincidence that he has scored those goals and created those chances, on top of the four goals he has already scored. The important thing is that Davide listens. We argue a bit, but we care about each other.”
The coach added that his approach to management and training has changed with experience, explaining that he no longer believes in simply repeating methods that worked in previous jobs.
“The game and the players have changed. The situations I experienced as a player or a coach ten years ago are different now. I made my teams play in a completely different way four or five years ago. If you want to keep doing the same things, it becomes difficult.
“There are many good coaches around the world. If you are willing to learn and remain curious, you can always introduce something extra. For years I worked with my staff like a pneumatic drill, and then at the first set-piece routine or corner the players would forget everything.”
Gattuso also spoke about Gudmundsson's return and his relationship with Lazio, making clear how much the club's supporters mean to him.
“Too many instructions are not good. Now there are three or four ways of playing out from the goalkeeper, and the players can become confused. We are giving them fewer instructions, and those are the things that cannot be negotiated.
“From the first day I arrived, I felt good. I am an emotional person; I cannot pretend. I quickly understood where I had come. I knew it would not take long for me to become attached to the people working here and to Lazio's incredible history.
“My dream is to see my team playing in a full stadium, scoring a goal and running towards the supporters, with the stadium behind us. I have imagined it and said often that football without supporters is not football. We have only one path: we must honour the shirt.”
On Gudmundsson, he added: “I thought he looked good. He is a quality player. You can see he is not at his sharpest, but he has quality when he touches the ball. I called him back a few times when we didn't have possession, and we are thankful that nothing happened.
“He has had a strange injury. He has been working very hard for two weeks and trained with us throughout this week. We know that if he falls badly on his shoulder again, it could be a problem, but we hope there will be no further issues.”
The friendly provided Gattuso with a useful opportunity to assess his squad before the return of competitive football, with the coach emphasising fitness, mentality and the need to keep improving individual performances.