Davide Frattesi has explained why Italy have looked so much better recently than they did at EURO 2024 over the summer, has stood by his heavily criticised teammate Lorenzo Pellegrini and has declared that the Azzurri can’t afford to make any mistakes in the run-up to the next World Cup.
The Inter midfielder took part in a press conference ahead of Monday’s Nations League fixture against Israel in Udine.
Italy have picked up two wins and a draw from their last three matches, including a particularly impressive win away against France, but were eliminated at the round of 16 by Switzerland at the EUROs in the summer just gone.
Frattesi on Italy improvement since the EUROs
Frattesi began his press conference by explaining why Italy have improved so much over the last two international breaks.
“What we were missing during the EUROs was the fun on the pitch that we saw against Belgium, Spending so many days in an environment that wasn’t as joyful and friendly as it is now affected the performances from every player.
“There was too much pressure, externally and internally. In the end, we brought it on ourselves, it wasn’t a particularly fun journey.
“There have always been national teams that are stronger than us, but what has always made the difference is the Italian spirit. There was more talent in the national team a little while ago, but the spirit is what makes the difference.”
Frattesi believes that Italy are always capable of playing like they did against France.
“Beating France in Paris, playing like we did for those 40 minutes against Belgium were demonstrations of our strength, because they are top national teams in the world. It means we’re on the right path.”
The Italy international then explained why he is not too concerned by his lack of opportunities as a starter at club level.
“It’s already better than last year,” he laughed when asked about his playing time. “Jokes aside, I understand Mister Inzaghi and that’s why I’ve never tried to bother anyone about it.
“There are four of us and we’re all top-level players, it’s not easy. Last year I turned up at a team that had just won the Scudetto and reached a Champions League final, it’s not easy.”
It’s a different story with Italy, though, as Frattessi is currently the highest goalscorer since Luciano Spalletti took over last year.
“When we arrived in September, I spoke to him in the gym, he told me that he has a lot of respect for me, but also that I would be the one who he ‘bothers’ the most. He saw something in me that he liked and now the criticisms are going away because I’ve done what he’s told me.
“When he came here and said that the EUROs were 99% his fault, I didn’t agree. He could have been more light-hearted, but we were the ones on the pitch and for players like us to not be capable of putting two passes together is incomprehensible.”
Frattesi ahead of Israel in Nations League
Assessing Israel, Frattessi stressed the importance of picking up another victory.
“(It’s) very important. We have to continue in first place, hoping that France and Belgium might draw. The three points would allow us to try some things we didn’t think would be possible at the start of the competition. They are a good team with quality, we will have to be good at holding onto the result, because we showed we weren’t the best at that in the first leg.
“The stadium in Udine brings back good memories, but tomorrow’s match won’t be an easy one: Maybe they’ll drop off a bit more than they did in the first leg and we should be good.”
And on the potential atmosphere and the situation surrounding Israel as a nation, he added: “Honestly we don’t talk about it. Personally, I hope that everything will be resolved peacefully.
“We already went through it in the first leg. There were two thousand people in a stadium with seven or eight thousand seats. We are all quite experienced, I don’t think it should be a problem.”
Frattesi also explained that Italy’s recent change in system has helped to get more out of him in the Azzurri midfield.
“It was a bit more difficult for me in the previous formation. I was a mezzala, but also an attacking midfielder, and the shouts were for me to go back further and get on the ball more.”
Asked if he could be the man to step into the ‘second striker’ role in a 3-5-1-1 system, Frattesi said: “Honestly I don’t think so. I tried it when we played that way in the EUROs, but I don’t think it gets the best out of my strengths.”
Frattesi defends Pellegrini
Frattesi then came to the defence of his teammate Pellegrini, who has returned to Roma after being sent off in the first half of the 2-2 draw with Belgium.
“I’m really sorry to see it, Lorenzo is a great person and a strong footballer. I watch Roma’s games and when he comes here, he seems like a different person.
“I thought he did well against Belgium. I think that a captain like him, balanced and mindful of others, should be someone who is held onto. It’s not an easy time for him, it’s not easy to step out infront of 60,000 people booing you. I hope he gets out of this situation, he’s a really great person.”
On Niccolo Pisilli’s start to life with the national team, Frattesi said: “The players are here because they are good. He is a guy who has a good head on his shoulders, things can only go well for him. I hope he can have a long career with Roma, and that could push the club to focus on young Italian guys because they are there and good enough.
World Cup ambition
Frattesi concluded his press conference with a reminder of how important it is to take every game seriously ahead of the next World Cup.
“It shouldn’t be an obsession, but it sort of is, because Italy can’t afford to miss out again. We are taking the Nations League very seriously because it affects the groups for the draw. We will do everything to get first place in the group, which should mean an easier (qualifying) group on paper. But in general, we can’t make mistakes, there’s nothing else to say.”