Top of the table, empty in the stands: inside the revolt against Lazio’s owner | Nicky Bandini

Despite an impressive start under Gennaro Gattuso, supporters are boycotting the Stadio Olimpico to wage war against Claudio Lotito Gennaro Gattuso has given some memorable post-game interviews down the years.

Who could forget his “sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit” rant at OFI Crete, or the face of the beleaguered interpreter tasked with translating it? Last year, not long before taking charge of the Italian national team, Gattuso got into a finger-jabbing, language-swapping, almost-nose-to-nose shouting match with Josko Jelicic on Croatian television.

And yet there was something more affecting about the soft way he spoke this Saturday, in Calabrian-accented Italian.

Without anger, but with an air of melancholy.

“For me, football without fans is shit,” he said.

“What do you think? I’d say it’s better to stay home.

Better to go for a walk with the dogs.” Continue reading...