The young Italian Roberto Gagliardini responded well to Spalletti’s call with a new found energy, “Gagliardini knew I was going to play him since Tuesday, after the game in Rome,”  Spalletti  said yesterday that he was able to see a true performance from his midfielder, who seemed slightly tired at the last game at the Olimpico before the international break.

Yesterday – notes Tuttosport – the former prospect looked like he was once again in his first few months with the Nerazzurri: totalling the most balls recovered at 7 (but intercepted ones were many more), 12 kilometres worth of movement (11.9 km to be precise) and the most superior player on the field with 124 balls played, roughly 30 more than Borja Valero (93). In practise – according to the Turin newspaper – Gagliardini seemed to be the Strootman that Spalletti had brought to great new levels in his midfield triangle (often partnered with De Rossi and Nainggolan) while at Roma.