Sutalo and Tavares injured, but the break helps Gattuso manage concerns

Lazio defender Sutalo and left-back Tavares both suffered hamstring problems in the draw at Napoli; the international break offers time to assess their conditions.

Lazio returned from Napoli with fresh injury concerns after losing Sutalo and Tavares to muscle problems during the match. Sutalo felt a sharp pain in his hamstring during the first half and was substituted immediately. Manager Gattuso explained: "He felt a pull in his flexor, he won't go to his national team and we'll see what grade the injury is."

Tavares arrived at the match already carrying a flexor strain but played through to half-time before being withdrawn. Gattuso praised his commitment: "Nuno deserves credit for how he made himself available. He could have not played, trained little, was carrying a flexor strain and gritted his teeth." The Portuguese left-back may still report to his national team for assessment.

The international break comes at a useful moment for Lazio to evaluate both players. Captain Zaccagni, who travelled to Napoli despite injury, will undergo an MRI on Thursday or Friday to determine whether his swelling is from the previous trauma suffered against Cagliari or from a muscle tear—the latter would extend recovery time.

Gudmundsson, sidelined for 45 days with a shoulder injury, is targeting Saturday's friendly against Mgarr United to begin building match fitness, with his condition assessed daily.