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Cat Fight
Who’s afraid of the big bad kitten? Steven Gerrard says he’s not, but Susy Campanale insists Gennaro Gattuso’s got claws
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Trash talking is now part of the modern game and no big match build-up is complete without a selection of choice insults flying across the front pages. One would think that Liverpool and Milan would have more than enough juicy meat to chew on from their 2005 clash in Istanbul, but the word that has dominated the major spat between the sides is 'kitten'. A term of affection for a loving couple, but cruelly besmirching Gennaro Gattuso’s image in the eyes of Steven Gerrard.
“I wasn't worried about Gattuso before the game, during the game, or after,” wrote the Reds captain in his autobiography. “People rate the Italian for some reason. For me, he is all mouth. He looks aggressive, but he is as scary as a kitten.” Now putting aside possible Freudian analysis of a childhood trauma involving Tiddles stealing little Stevie’s candy, that’s fighting talk. Except it isn’t.
Gattuso has never been and never will be scary. It is not what he is about. While Marco Materazzi may go around flashing his tattoos and studs in an attempt to build his hard man reputation, Rino has been booked only eight times in 29 Serie A appearances this season. Last term he had a total of six.
Gerrard is entirely right to say that Gattuso only looks aggressive, because he runs around the field like a bull mastiff with the scent of postman’s leg in his nostrils, but the truth is he’s all about going in to win the tackle cleanly. You will very rarely see a cynical foul from the pint-sized midfielder and if you think back to the World Cup or Milan’s demolition of Manchester United at San Siro, then I’m sure you’ll agree. Snappy, fiery and always first with the challenge, but be assured he always goes for the ball. Much like a kitten at play, in fact.
“I don’t feel like a kitten, but like a pitbull,” replied the bearded Gattuso in his bid to continue the animal theme. “I’m certainly as furry as a kitten… People admire me for the hard work I put in, hardly for the classy play. Where do I get my grit from? I can’t answer that. It’s like asking Francesco Totti where his talent comes from. It’s there and that’s all I need to know.”
Perhaps the key to Gerrard’s analysis of the Italian lies in this phrase: “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.”
Aside from the fact Rino has been improving his technique at the foot of the masters, again, this isn’t really his role. Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf – who has staggeringly turned into one of Milan’s most consistent players over the past couple of months – and Kaka are able to weave their magic precisely because Gattuso will do the leg work for them.
So is he a kitten or a pitbull? My vote is on a camel – hard-working, carrying the luggage for everyone else and seemingly slow, but if you glance away for a second he’ll eat your handbag.
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