Midfielder Davide Frattesi will make his first start against either Real Sociedad in the Champions League, or Empoli in Serie A.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
So far this season, Frattesi has appeared in every single one of Inter’s matches in Serie A.
The 23-year-old has come off the bench in the second half of Serie A wins over Monza, Cagliari, Fiorentina, and AC Milan.
But Inter did not sign Frattesi to be mainly a substitute appearance-maker.
The Nerazzurri paid a significant fee to sign the Italian international from Sassuolo. And his performances for the Neroverdi over the preior two season suggest that they see a player who can be a key cog in their first-choice midfield.
The same is true of Frattesi’s performances for the national team.
Under Roberto Mancini and then Luciano Spalletti, Frattesi has broken into the Azzurri side.
And the 23-year-old has shone in each of the last two international breaks. Against Ukraine last week, Frattesi scored two goals and put in a man of the match performance in a 2-1 EURO 2024 qualifying win over Ukraine.
Davide Frattesi To Start For Inter Milan Vs Either Real Sociedad Or Empoli
That performance against Ukraine led to suggestions that Frattesi could start against Milan in the derby.
It was Henrikh Mkhitaryan who held down his starting spot. And the Armenian veteran justified his inclusion with a brace.
But Frattesi came off the bench and also shone. The former Neroverdi midfielder capped off a high-impact substitute appearance by scoring his first goal for Inter in stoppage time.
It’s only a matter of time before Frattesi gets his chance from the start.
That could already come this week in the Champions League. The Nerazzurri get their group stage campaign underway away to Real Sociedad.
But according to the Gazzetta, there is no guarantee that Frattesi will start that match.
If the Italian doesn’t start against La Real, however, then there is no question he will start against Empoli next weekend.
