Gennaro Gattuso warned AC Milan not to get carried away by recent wins as they prepare to play Udinese coached his former Italy and Milan teammate Massimo Oddo.
“We’re not Brad Pitt now, we’ve got to continue being as ugly as me and my beard, with bags under the eyes,” said Gattuso ahead of Sunday’s Serie A game.
Gattuso took over late in November and the former European giants have now achieved three consecutive Serie A victories and held Lazio in the Italian Cup semi-final.
“We mustn’t forget what people were saying about us only six weeks ago, otherwise we’ll regress,” he continued.
“I hear talk of a Champions League place, but we’re not even in the Europa League spots now.”
Both Gattuso, 40, and Oddo, 41, spent a lot of their careers at Milan and were on Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning squad.
“I shared so much with Massimo Oddo. He’s an intelligent and funny guy whose success speaks for him,” said Gattuso who also played in Scotland for Rangers.
“He got a few slaps in the face from me for his pranks, as we had very different ideas on how to prepare for a game.”
Milan are looking for a fourth straight win in the league to move up from seventh into the Europa League places.
“We mustn’t get anything wrong, as at the moment only Napoli and Juventus are on better form,” said Gattuso.
Oddo has lifted Udinese from 14th to ninth since taking over two and half months ago and they are on an eight-game unbeaten run.
“Obviously, this is not a normal match for me, but it’s one I will have to deal with,” said Oddo of playing his former team.
“I am pleased to face some old friends and test ourselves in difficult circumstances.
“We have to play as a team against a Milan side that has learned how to act as a unit, so I compliment Rino Gattuso for his fine work.”
“Milan are in good shape, have learned how to become a team and are very dangerous opponents right now. Gattuso is a teammate and friend I shared unforgettable moments with, so I am very happy with the success he is experiencing as a coach.”
