Italy, Frattesi’s dig: “Finally I have my coaches’ trust. After being labelled so often, I ended up believing the labels myself”
Davide Frattesi was one of the key figures in Italy’s thrilling and convincing 3-1 win over France at San Siro. The midfielder scored the goal that put Italy 2-1 ahead and steered the match their way, after Sebastiano Esposito’s missed penalty and before Pio Esposito’s goal sealed the result. But as well as his goal on the scoresheet, his polite yet far from ordinary post-match words left a mark.
VINDICATION - Speaking to Rai after the match, Frattesi got a few things off his chest while remaining polite. He spoke with renewed confidence and a desire to show he is a complete midfielder.
TOP PERFORMANCE - Frattesi played 73 minutes against France before making way for Doumbia. On the right of a midfield three completed by Tonali and Barella (with the latter on the left), he performed well above the required standard.
The Lazio midfielder scored with one of his trademark runs into the box, making the most of an assist from Dimarco, his former team-mate at Inter. He also contributed in both phases of play, adding substance to the Azzurri midfield and showing he has become (or perhaps always was) much more than just a midfielder who makes runs into the box.
PLAYING ALONGSIDE BARELLA IS POSSIBLE - Frattesi's impact alongside Barella is worth considering in light of his recent past at Inter. There, Barella had left him no room, reducing him to an alternative or even a bit-part player.
Mancini has shown the two can play together in the same midfield without any problems by moving Barella to the left of centre and getting the wide players in his 4-3-3 to put in the hard yards.
THE DIG: "KEEP PUTTING LABELS ON SOMEONE..." - His post-match comments sounded like vindication in the face of an Inter world that probably never fully understood him.
Frattesi recalled the emotion of scoring at that end at San Siro (his goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final, editor's note): "I got goosebumps because I scored a goal at that end that left its mark on me. I glanced at the gate, but I think they've made it half the size (laughs, editor's note)." His words showed affection for Inter's fans, but he also highlighted the difference in how he is being managed now that he is away from Milan.
On his conversations with Gattuso, Frattesi said "Gattuso and I have a few discussions because he asks me to make the most of the qualities I have, whereas I want to do the things I can't do at 100%. But that has always been my aim: to shake off labels that don't reflect who I am. If people keep putting labels on me, I might even start to believe them myself. I'm happy to have the trust of Gattuso and Mancini". Who knows what Simone Inzaghi and Cristian Chivu make of it?
