There is a particular player in the Primavera (Youth team) of Inter who has been establishing himself as indispensable since last year and aims to at least be integrated, on some occasions, into the First Team.
Of course, we all know Simone Inzaghi and we know that experimenting with very young players is not exactly one of his characteristics, but he could certainly give some game time to one of the Under 19 boys of Andrea Zanchetta. The profile we have drawn is that of Matteo Cocchi, a 17-year-old player born in Imola on February 1, 2007 who will therefore only turn eighteen in five months.
Who is Matteo Cocchi, winger of Inter Primavera
What struck from the 2023-24 season with Cristian Chivu at the helm was the precocity of Cocchi, whom Inter guaranteed by signing him from the youth sector of Bologna in 2021 for 500,000 euros. By profession a left back, already last year the native of Imola became a part of the Under 19 squad as an over-age by two years, but it took him very little to establish himself.
Chivu decided to bet on him, given the difficulties that arose during the previous season on the left wing, where neither Pelematti nor the adapted Fontanarosa provided the right guarantees. Cocchi was lined up as a starter from the first day of last year and the Romanian coach has not done without him since, so much so that Cocchi can already boast 29 appearances in Primavera.
Matteo Cocchi skills and characteristics
This year he is yet to be seen due to an ankle injury, but the new coach Zanchetta is waiting for him to presumably return him to the starting role as left back, given also the confirmation of the 4-3-3 scheme also used by Chivu. In these early days, Zanchetta has lined up the class of 2005 Marco Motta in that role, but certainly Cocchi offers more guarantees at the moment.
As for his characteristics, the 17-year-old’s strength is his run, and his ability to cover miles on the left flank, constantly supporting the offensive phase but also proving structured and solid in defense. Equipped with a good cross with his left foot, last year Cocchi exploited the changes in the line-up by Chivu, who in the offensive phase systematically shifted to a 3-4-3. This allowed the boy from Imola to advance his area of action in the four of midfield, relying on the cover of the third defense behind, or even to communicate with Di Maggio and Quieto (offensive wingers) taking their place in attack.
We will see, therefore, if further progress in Primavera will lead to a possible jump into the First Team of Cocchi. Although, we don’t envisage a permanent stay, but the possibility of being integrated exists, as well as the chance of seeing the pitch, perhaps with a result achieved. A path similar to the one taken by Ebenezer Akinsanmiro last year, before the loan of this summer to Sampdoria, with a promising start.
