Davide Frattesi feels Luciano Spalletti is the ‘perfect’ coach for Italy’s national team and enjoys ‘physical battles’ with Milan star Theo Hernandez: ‘Luckily my team has always won lately.’
Inter midfielder Frattesi released a lengthy interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday. He didn’t only speak about the Nerazzurri season so far and his pathway to becoming a regular starter at the Stadio Meazza but also shared his thoughts on Italy’s national team and what to expect from the Azzurri at the Euros.
Spalletti was appointed in September 2023, making Frattesi one of the national team’s regular starters.
“First of all, we follow his rules. It is for our good,” said the Italian midfielder.
“He explains everything we have to do and there is always a memorised move that saves you. He is perfect for the national team. He is so meticulous on the pitch, that we can replicate what he did at Napoli and feel the same magic of 2021. We have already seen exciting things.”
Gianluca Scamacca is a close friend of Frattesi and was in talks with Inter last summer, but eventually decided to sign for Atalanta.
“During the summer, I told him that there was the right environment here, but I never pushed too much,” admitted Frattesi.
“Now we are rivals but he’s my best friend in football. We are different, I am outgoing, and he’s more shy.”
How about Serie A opponents? Is there a player he enjoys facing on the pitch?
“I like physical battles with Theo Hernandez,” admitted Frattesi.
“He is fast, tough and really strong. It’s nice to challenge such a strong player, but luckily my team has always won lately.”
Does Frattesi fear anything off the pitch?
“Flying. Luckily I am not the only one. Thuram is not at ease on a plane, so we help each other when needed.”
Talking about his personal life, Frattesi thanked his family and revealed he doesn’t watch football matches in his spare time.
“It’s true. It bores me. I want to take a break. [In my free time] I play Burraco or Monopoly with my girlfriend who doesn’t like losing, like me. My passion is underwater fishing,” he said.
“My father got upset when I told him he could stop working. He said: ‘I want to earn money for myself.’ It was the most important lesson, so I want to thank him. My mum and my uncle always support me. I don’t forget my grandpa, Carmine, who is no longer here and his wife Stefania, who is 77 and used to dance with us in Sardinia.”