Simone Inzaghi, former Lazio coach and now Al-Hilal coach, expressed great respect for Gennaro Gattuso's team, citing his experience with Lazio in 2018-19. In his interview with *Il Messaggero* he said that the new Lazio "looks a lot like mine": "it has similar technical and moral characteristics. What counts is the group, isolated from the rest of the world". The comment was accompanied by a memory of an important victory, the 2‑0 against Bologna, which allowed the club to rise to the top of the table. Inzaghi recalled the festive atmosphere at the Olimpico, describing it as a "collective party without an end".
In his story of the past, the former coach referred to the period in which his team played for the championship, before the pandemic changed the dynamics of football. He remembered the happiness of the fans, the long break, the injuries and the resumption of the championship, which was no longer the same as before. “The scudetto didn't arrive but I was left with the awareness of having built a fantastic Lazio, which gave me perhaps unrepeatable emotions,” he said. “Of course, I have a regret in my heart that I will carry with me for my whole life: how would it have ended without that catastrophe called Covid?”
Speaking about the current Lazio, Inzaghi underlined the position in the standings, where the club is in first place together with Inter. He praised Gattuso, calling him "a great coach" who has fitted in very well, and noted that successes come one after another. According to the former coach, the team "flies" and the atmosphere in Formello seems to reflect that of Lazio in 2020, when "we were a family". He added that the difference between the teams will reawaken in competitions with their opponents, but that Lazio is already providing strong emotions.
Inzaghi closed the interview with some advice to the Biancocelesti: "Lazio should move forward match after match, without having to deal with the others. Everything will be simpler and more fun this way." The message reflects his confidence in Gattuso's project and in the strength of the group, elements which, according to him, are fundamental to continuing to compete at the highest level of Serie A.