Davide Frattesi handed new Lazio coach Gennaro Gattuso a dream start to the Serie A season by scoring the decisive goal in Monday’s 1-0 victory away to Bologna.
The result provided a timely boost for Gattuso after his competitive debut on the Lazio bench ended in a humiliating Italian Cup defeat to Serie B side Mantova.
That cup setback intensified frustration among Lazio’s hardcore supporters, who have been protesting against club owner Claudio Lotito and boycotting home matches.
Bologna controlled much of the contest but failed to capitalise on their dominance. Frattesi, who is on loan at Lazio from Inter Milan, came off the bench and made an immediate impact, scoring from inside the penalty area shortly before the hour mark.
The Italy international had been on the pitch for only five minutes when he struck the winner, giving Gattuso the ideal start to his Serie A campaign.
