Federico Gatti did not let family ties hold him back in Juventus’ Derby della Mole win over Torino, earning praise for his opening goal and strong defensive performance.
The 25-year-old Italian centre back, whose whole family supports the Granata, scored his first ever goal in the Italian topflight in Saturday’s derby, putting the Old Lady 1-0 up after a scramble in the box allowed him to head the ball into the back of the net.
Gatti also played well defensively, winning five duels and completing two tackles, helping Juventus walk away from the derby with a clean sheet. It was a decisive performance from a player who was recently the focus of ridicule following his disastrous own goal in the 4-2 loss to Sassuolo.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reflected on Gatti’s performance, referencing his infamous own goal whilst highlighting his ability to bounce back on the pitch, writing: “The early stages of the match still suffered from his own goal against Sassuolo.
“The shyness came off with a couple of good moves. Then his usual presence in the box on corners, it was his goal that blew the Toro defence away, his first in Serie A.”
Corriere dello Sport were impressed with the 25-year-old’s work, even if they were quick to suggest that he’d never match up to the defensive royalty of the club’s history, commenting: “He will never be Bonucci or Barzagli, but for temperament and ferocity he embodies the spirit of the new Juventus.
“He celebrated late (due to VAR) the joy of his first goal in Serie A under the Curva Sud. In his first derby, he who was born in Rivoli to a Torino family. Not a bad Saturday.”
Gatti’s ratings in the Italian newspapers
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 6.5
Corriere dello Sport: 7
Tuttosport: 7