Gennaro Gattuso saw some progress from Napoli in a 2-1 win away to Benevento, admitting the ‘thought did cross my mind’ they’d repeat his Milan debut.
Roberto Insigne opened the scoring at the Stadio Vigorito, but Lorenzo Insigne and substitute Andrea Petagna turned it around.
“We tried using Petagna, because he’s not just good at holding up the ball. He only looks slow…” Gattuso told DAZN.
Gennaro Gattuso saw some progress from Napoli in a 2-1 win away to Benevento, admitting the ‘thought did cross my mind’ they’d repeat his Milan debut.
Roberto Insigne opened the scoring at the Stadio Vigorito, but Lorenzo Insigne and substitute Andrea Petagna turned it around.
“We tried using Petagna, because he’s not just good at holding up the ball. He only looks slow…” Gattuso told DAZN.
“We were stretched out in the first half, sterile, left too many spaces between the lines and were too predictable. After the break, the ball started moving quicker with some quick one-twos and we caused Benevento big problems.
“We played too predictably, ball to feel, not enough movement. Just like AZ Alkmaar three days ago, we didn’t do enough movement off the ball, in my view.”
Benevento had the chance to equalise 2-2 in stoppages with a Marco Sau free kick and even goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò went up.
Did Gattuso’s mind wander back to the draw on his Milan debut at the Stadio Vigorito when the goalkeeper scored the equaliser?
“It was a different position, but exact same situation. It felt like 20 years ago, but it was only two and a half years. The thought did cross my mind!
“We lost an incredible match on Thursday, but did well to make up for it. Tiemoue Bakayoko got a knock, we hope it’s nothing serious and now have to prepare for the next trip to Spain.”
With Lorenzo Insigne’s return, Hirving Lozano was moved over to the right flank and didn’t make as much impact as he does on the left.
“Lozano is a rediscovered player, but he needs to be more determined, more fired up. There was half a penalty foul on him today, but he needs to stay on his feet and keep going there. It’s not an issue of playing him on the right or the left, we play every three days and we need everyone.”
It was also a reunion on the touchline with Gattuso’s former Milan and Italy teammate Pippo Inzaghi, who both drove the fourth official mad.
“I’ve never seen such a small technical area. It’s tiny! Aside from that, we both like to experience the match up close.”