Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi feels that the Nerazzurri finally had to play their real game to snatch a draw away to Real Sociedad.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia after the match, via FCInterNews, the 23-year-old reacted to the 1-1 draw.
Inter did not get their Champions League campaign to the same kind of blazing start they have in Serie A this season.
On the contrary, the Nerazzurri looked a shadow of the team that they’ve been in the league away in San Sebastian.
After conceding an early goal due to an Alessandro Bastoni error in possession, Inter struggled to string together enough passes to create any dangerous chances or even situations that would trouble the La Real backline.
But in the final ten or twenty minutes of the match, Inter started to show signs of life.
The Nerazzurri finally showed some attacking fluidity.
And this belated improvement was rewarded with a late equalizer.
It was Italian international midfielder Frattesi to set up the late goal. The 23-year-old found Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez with an excellent through-ball.
Davide Frattesi: Had To Play Like The Real Inter To Get A Point Vs Real Sociedad
“We knew it would be difficult,” Frattesi said of the Nerazzurri’s Champions League opener.
“We had prepared for them to get off to a strong start,” he added.
The midfielder said that “We weren’t caught off-guard, but it wasn’t easy.”
“That’s okay, we did well and had some luck to keep the deficit very slender,” Frattesi noted.
“Then we finally played like Inter, and we came back into it.”
Asked if there was mental or physical tiredness evident, Frattesi replied “Both. The derby saps a lot of energy.”
Frattesi also noted that “It’s not a problem if I start or come on as a substitute.”
“Whenever I’m called on I always give my best,” he added.