Gattuso on destiny date with Gerrard
By Henry Winter
When a sulphurous Steven Gerrard stormed into the Liverpool dressing-room at half-time in Istanbul two years ago, he let rip a string of expletives politely translated as those AC Milan chaps are being rather cocky. His venom was particularly roused by Gennaro Gattuso, whom he accused of smirking as Liverpool fell three goals behind.
All bark no bite: Milan's Gennaro Gattuso is just 'theatrical'
The reasons for Liverpool's remarkable recovery, pulling back to 3-3, forcing extra time and then winning on penalties, are myriad, ranging from the fans' rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone to Rafa Benitez's speech about showing pride in the shirt. Milan's premature celebrations, embodied by Gattuso's smirk, certainly stoked Liverpool's fire.
Gerrard, who will meet Gattuso again in the May 23 European Cup final, used his autobiography to detail his anger with the Italian international.
"He had a smirk on his face leaving the pitch at half-time,'' Gerrard wrote. "I saw it. F*** you. A couple of other Milan players waved at their fans and family. That disgusted me. OK, Milan were battering us, but you never behave like that to opponents. I was steaming as I arrived in the dressing room.''
Gerrard's words to his team-mates then would have turned a bleep-gun into a Bren gun.
Asked yesterday about Gerrard's accusations of Milanese triumphalism, Gattuso shrugged his shoulders and pleaded innocence. "No, we didn't do that at all,'' he insisted in decent English acquired from his days with Rangers. "It was wrong to say that. I am very happy Gerrard wants to say that about me to get me going. I now have 20 days to prepare to play against him again.
"For me, it's not about Gattuso against Gerrard, despite what he said. For me, Gerrard is the best player in England. He is a technical player, who plays very hard and with his heart. He is a legend for his club and the best player they've got.
"I have more respect for him because I remember that final in Istanbul. We had won it but then he played a great game and changed everything.
"I watched him against Chelsea on Tuesday and he was amazing, unbelievable. I still say I have respect for him and like the way he plays. I am looking forward to playing him again and looking him in the eye before it starts. This will be a very important game for us both.''
Like a struggling Milan tailor, Gattuso may have his work cut out. Gerrard again: "I wasn't worried about Gattuso before the game, during the game, or after,'' the Liverpool captain wrote. "People rate the Italian for some reason. For me, he is all mouth. He looks aggressive, but he is as scary as a kitten. I swear I wouldn't mind playing against Gattuso every week. He doesn't hurt you. I have never seen Gattuso play a killer ball. He won't nick a goal either. Gattuso just plays for the fans - theatrical and emotional.''
Off the pitch, the man known in Milan as 'Rino' is an engaging character, looking far from menacing in his quaint "Rino Is NOW'' head-gear, but he has certainly upset English midfielders. Gattuso tried to wind up David Beckham during an England international in Turin seven years ago, he riled Manchester United's Paul Scholes on Wednesday night and his reacquaintance with Gerrard promises fireworks.
Gattuso plainly has a score to settle. "In six minutes in Istanbul it all turned around and it was suddenly 3-3. That was hard to believe. But even then we had chances. [Andrei] Shevchenko had a great double chance but he couldn't score. If he had, it was over.'' Gattuso was so distressed he even considered quitting Milan.
Now, his confidence restored, Gattuso believes lightning will not strike twice. "It's impossible for it to be the same this time," he said. "That I promise. This time it is our destiny.''
A shot at destiny was secured by the rout of United at San Siro. "This time last week, everybody was saying 'Manchester United are the best team in Europe','' Gattuso added. "It was all we heard or saw and we beat them. We will be playing a similar English team to United in the final. Liverpool will be very aggressive and work hard for each other, so we know what to do.''
Pausing for thought, he argued, with good reason, that Benitez's side differ significantly from Scholes and company, being more tactical than expressive. "There is a difference between United and Liverpool and we beat the best side of the two. United have far more technical players, players who are quick and able to do things on the ball. Liverpool do not have those individuals at all.
"What Liverpool have is a way of playing together. They are more like an Italian team of 10 years ago. All they try to do is defend together, with everybody behind the ball and just one striker. All Liverpool do is play long balls. Manchester are a footballing team.''
Like Gerrard in Istanbul, Gattuso draws motivation from many sources. "In Italy 12 months ago we had all the [refereeing and crowd] problems - and they haven't gone away. We are still in a black moment for Italian football. There is more scandal. It's important for the people of Italy to see one Italian team playing to win the Champions League.''
Gerrard may have other ideas.
I really hope we make Gattuso eat his words.
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