Italy star Frattesi dealing with growing expectations at Inter

EMPOLI, ITALY - OCTOBER 30: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale scores a goal during the Serie A match between Empoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Davide Frattesi insists that a player must be judged in the long run, not game-by-game and says he didn’t celebrate a brace against Empoli as he had had a ‘good time’ in Tuscany.

The Italy international inspired Inter’s 3-0 win against Empoli on Wednesday by scoring his first brace in Serie A.

However, Empoli are one of his former clubs, so the Italian midfielder didn’t celebrate.

Italy star Frattesi dealing with growing expectations at Inter

epa11659422 Davide Frattesi of Italy gestures during the UEFA Nations League A soccer match Italy vs Israel in Udine, Italy, 14 October 2024. EPA-EFE/DAVIDE CASENTINI

“It’s great, but I am sorry the brace came against a team where I played in a happy period of my life,” Frattesi told DAZN.

“I didn’t celebrate because I had a good time here.”

The 25-year-old is dealing with growing expectations and is criticised by the media every time he doesn’t score.

“Yes, especially recently. It’s not easy,” admitted the midfielder.

“It’s almost as if every game determines whether I am a good player or not. It’s impossible to score in every game; a period of fatigue is understandable, but a player’s worth must be valued in the long run and not in each match.”