Gattuso slams German media Saturday 1 July, 2006
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Gennaro Gattuso has revived the row with German newspaper ‘Der Spiegel’ and revealed the reasons behind his scintillating form.
The Azzurri responded angrily this week to an editorial in the local media calling Italians ‘parasites, Mamma’s boys and slimy.’ “We’ve been here for three weeks and I have to say the German people have been charming and very polite,” said Gattuso.
“I don’t know if the editor of Der Spiegel has some sort of problem because he got beaten up by an Italian as a child or his wife has been cheating on him with an Italian Stallion. I can’t explain it otherwise! That article offended my father and every other Italian who worked hard for low pay. Germany has given Italians work in the past, but our countrymen put in the effort and earned their wages.”
The Milan midfielder had struggled this season at club level, but has found his form for the World Cup after recovering from an injury.
“I’ve been training regularly with the team and playing without anti-inflammatory drugs, which is why my form has improved, but the whole side is doing better. We play with heart and achieve the objectives we set ourselves. The medical staff has been wonderful and I still work three hours more than my teammates to ensure my thigh problem is kept at bay. Everyone knows I’m not afraid of hard slog and will always give everything for the Azzurri shirt.”
He was named FIFA Man of the Match in the 3-0 quarter-final victory over the Ukraine last night and is thoroughly enjoying this tournament as Italy enter the last four.
“This is a dream for me that just keeps on going. I never thought I’d have the chance to be a key figure in a World Cup. That’s why I don’t want to close my eyes! I have to experience every moment in all its glorious detail. I hope to give this award to Gianluca Pessotto, as his gesture shocked us and we are eager to embrace him again.”
He took on Rossoneri teammate Andriy Shevchenko in Hamburg and also complimented Coach Marcello Lippi for the Azzurri’s performance in Germany.
“There were no doubts that Shevchenko is a great man and player. We spoke briefly and complimented each other, but all over the field there was mutual respect. The team is very much built in Lippi’s image, as we fight hard for 90 minutes and bring home the result. We’re repeatedly changed the system over the past few games based on studying our opponents and it has worked well.”
Gattuso’s eyes are already on Tuesday’s semi-final against World Cup hosts Germany. “I’m not afraid of Ballack, but I respect him and have faced him many times when Milan took on Bayern Munich. I have two legs and so does he.”