Young Inter-owned midfielder Franco Vezzoni feels that his career is progressing well after his experiences as a key man in the Primavera side last season.
Speaking to Italian news outlet FCInterNews, the 19-year-old gave his thoughts on last season when the Inter Primavera team reached the league semi-final, and singled out Javier Zanetti as a significant figure at the club.
Vezzoni joined Inter’s youth system in the summer of 2018 from Argentine club Atalaya, and he has made his way through the ranks to become a regular start for the Primavera team under Armando Madonna last season.
This campaign he is getting his first experience of senior football, on loan in Serie C with Pro Patria, and he feels that he is taking the next step in his development well after enjoying his experiences last time around.
On his new experiences in senior football with Pro Patria, he stated that it is going “Well, for the first experience among senior players. I try to watch the more experienced players and learn from them. Slowly I hope to carve out a significant space.”
On his goal for the season with the Serie C club he stated, “Safety, even if we can aim high because we have a good squad, a good group – I think we can do very well. As for me, after the injury suffered, which kept me away from the pitch for two months, I hope to recover physically, get minutes and thus be able to help my teammates.”
“For now I have played a few pieces of the matches,” he went on, “the important thing is to start again from a mental point of view. I feel much better now.”
On the step up to senior football he stated, “In the youth academies, perhaps you are a bit calmer. Here you fight for your goal in a different way and I like it a lot because it is something to be achieved with the whole team. Then there is another type of football, you have to be more mean, you play faster – in fact, I’m trying to get used to it.”
“In the Under 17s you are more relaxed, but already in the Primavera there were specific goals. Then if you play for Inter, you want to try to win everything,” he stated.
Asked if semi-final defeat to Empoli left a bitter taste Vezzoni responded, “Yes, a lot. It was the most painful match in my life. We played a good first half, too bad for the goal in the last minute. We deserved more and are of the opinion that if we had reached the final, we would have won. Now let’s turn the page and remember that we gave our all.”
On his tactical role he explained, “I used to play midfielder or mezzala, then coach Madonna put me at wing-back on the right and then also on the left, I did well and continued in that role. I am now available to play in any position, the important thing is to play and grow.”
Of the significance of legendary Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti, he explained that “He is fundamental for everyone, not just for South Americans. For me he is a special person, very kind and very humble. It’s the history of Inter and you always learn from Javier.”
On advice he’s gotten from Zanetti, Vezzoni stated, “I talked to him a lot. He told me to always train to the maximum, then when I wasn’t playing he urged me not to get upset and told me: ‘Don’t worry, your opportunity will come.’ And so it went. Sometimes with Pupi, together with Carboni and Satriano, we talked about Argentina.”
Of his teammate from the Primavera last season Martin Satriano, who is now in the Inter first team, he stated that “I’m so happy for Martin – he’s a great friend and he deserves it. He is a very strong player, as well as a wonderful guy. He has this ‘garra’ that represents me too. I know where he comes from, what he has been through and we hope he will improve and go further and further.”
And on Inter Primavera teammate Franco Carboni he said, “We are three very strong brothers, we are doing well. Franco is also often training with the first team and the results on the pitch are evident. He is also a great friend and I wish him the best.”
On former Primavera players he feels could go on to make a significant impact he said, “There would be many names to name, we were a good team. I can name Filip Stankovic and Gaetano Oristanio, who have the qualities to reach the top. Etienne Kinkoue because of his size made the difference. Cesare Casadei is doing well and will be able to give a lot.”
On his choice for a loan in Serie C over going abroad Vezzoni said, “We made this decision with my agent. At first I was undecided. I like Italy, I’ve been here for years, it’s like it’s my home. And I know that doing well with Pro Patria can open many doors. There are interesting prospects.”
On training with the Nerazzurri first team he stated, “It was incredible. There were Lautaro, Hakimi, Lukaku. I tried to watch and learn from each of them, a beautiful experience which I will always carry with me.”
On whether a particular first-team player impressed him he laughed and stated that “They are all monsters. They were all going full tilt. If I have to choose one, I’d say Lautaro – he made and is making a difference to Inter and the national team. And I really liked Sensi, technically he is of a very high level, of absolute quality. Also, Conte conveyed a lot in training, an incredible passion.”
“When you’re there any guy hopes for it,” he said of a first-team debut. “But for me it was already a lot just to be there. It would have been nice to play. Let’s say that the dream of returning to wear the Inter first team jersey remains. But now I have to think about Pro Patria, to give my best and to improve. There is a long way to go.”
