Lazio winger Gustav Isaksen spoke to the club’s official channels ahead of their crucial match against Atalanta. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a victory, stating, “We are facing another great match. It won’t be easy for either of us, but we know our worth at home and will do everything we can to earn the three points.”
When asked how he wants to be remembered by Lazio fans in the future, Isaksen shared his aspirations: “I dream of winning the Scudetto with this jersey! I want to play many matches for Lazio, become an idol, and win a trophy.”
Reflecting on the mental boost from their recent victory over Lecce following a heavy defeat to Inter, he said, “It was very important. It allowed us to bounce back after the 0-6 loss; it wasn’t easy psychologically. We won a tough match and are now ready for the next challenge against Atalanta. Our minds are focused on that. We are confident and know we can win.”
Isaksen has already scored two goals this season after netting three last year and feels capable of increasing his tally: “Yes, I feel very good. I want to score more goals and provide assists to help the team win. I know I can do even better.”
He also praised his coach Marco Baroni for his support: “He has helped me a lot by giving me confidence from the start. The coach understood that my qualities could help the team. Now I play in my preferred position on the right wing, and I am happy.”
Looking back on his experiences with Lazio, Isaksen described his memorable night in Naples: “It was a beautiful night, an unforgettable evening. Scoring a goal that helped us conquer such a difficult ground against a great team was special.”
When discussing his teammates, he singled out Mario Gila for praise: “Mario is incredibly strong; even in training, it’s hard to get past him. He is fast and has grit. He helps us a lot, and I’m happy to play alongside him.”
Recalling his first encounter with veteran player Stefan Radu, Isaksen humorously noted, “He told me he retired because of me!” He acknowledged Radu as a club legend who has taught him much.
Isaksen also shared his admiration for Mohamed Salah as the best player in his position: “I love Salah. I watch all Liverpool matches; they are the team I supported as a child. He scores in every game and always creates dangerous chances. I dream of becoming like him one day, although it won’t be easy.”
As for the future of football stars, Isaksen mentioned young talents like Lamine Yamal: “Two months ago, I played against him; I see him as a future star. But there are also Mbappe, Vinicius, Haaland, and don’t forget about talents from Denmark like Hojlund. However, reaching the numbers of Messi and Ronaldo will be challenging for anyone.”
Outside of football, Isaksen revealed his secret hobby: “I really enjoy playing chess; it relaxes me and helps my mind even on the pitch. I watch many old matches and study all the moves. I also like tennis, golf, and darts.”
Finally, when asked about his favourite athlete outside football, he mentioned Jannik Sinner: “He has an incredible mentality; before him, I admired Nadal’s mindset. His battles with Federer have become legendary.”
Isaksen concluded by highlighting the importance of learning Italian: “Learning Italian has been crucial for understanding everything happening around me both on and off the pitch. It was especially important when Sarri didn’t speak English; if you didn’t know the language, it was hard to grasp tactics. Now that I know most terms, it’s easier to understand what Baroni asks of me. Plus, I have a weakness for Roman cuisine—I eat amatriciana twice a week; it’s my favourite dish!”
