Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi doesn’t feel nthat there are any compatibility issues between he and Nicolo Barella.
Speaking after Italy’s 2-1 win over Ukraine yesterday, as reported by FCInterNews, the 23-year-old stressed that he and his Nerazzurri and Azzurri teammate just need to find the right balance.
Frattesi was one of Inter’s big summer arrivals.
The Italian international had gained a strong reputation for himself in Serie A over two seasons at Sassuolo.
And the midfielder’s performances for Italy had also been catching the eye in the international break before the transfer window.
When Inter signed Frattesi, however, the one big question concerned how he’d fit in with Barella.
The pair are fairly similar in profile. Both are box-to-box midfielders with something of a Swiss army knife profile.
And there are also questions about who will play on the right versus the left between the pair.
Both are arguably versatile enough to take up either role, but the idea of shunting Barella to the left has raised some eyebrows considering the standard of the former Cagliari midfielder’s performances on the right for Inter over the past several season.
Davide Frattesi: I Can Play Alongside Nicolo Barella
For his part, however, Frattesi doesn’t doubt that he and Barella can play together.
Asked if he can play alongside the 26-year-old, Frattesi was certain. “It’s absolutely possible, yeah. We just need to find the right balance.”
So far this season, Barella has started every one of Inter’s matches, which is no surprise.
And Frattesi, meanwhile, has had to settle for substitute appearances.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been given the nod early on in the campaign. But there’s a sense that Frattesi will soon get his opportunities, particularly with the fixtures piling up.
And of his goals against Ukraine, Frattesi said that “The coach asked me to help out in the penalty area.”
“And as you know, I love doing that.”
“So everything went well. It’s been a brilliant week, and hopefully it ends even better,” he said with a nod towards the Milan derby.