The recent Champions League matches hosted at the San Siro Stadium have allowed Inter Milan‘s coach Simone Inzaghi to introduce several young talents from the club’s Primavera academy team. Following Giacomo De Pieri’s debut against Monaco, in the second leg of the Round of 16 against Feyenoord at the Meazza, it was the turn of Thomas Berenbruch and Matteo Cocchi. Let’s now learn more about this young Inter defender.
Who is Matteo Cocchi?
Inter Milan has consistently produced young talent, with a Primavera youth team frequently among Italy’s best. This year, the squad includes a high-quality young player, Matteo Cocchi. He is a left-back who excels in forward runs and can also operate further forward as a midfielder down the left flank. Born on February 1, 2007, Cocchi has recently turned 18 and is already a regular in the Primavera squad, competing consistently alongside teammates older than himself.
Characteristics of Matteo Cocchi
Cocchi stands 179 centimeters tall, predominantly uses his left foot, and usually plays down the left flank to maximize his abilities. Although principally a wide defender, he demonstrates excellent footwork and prefers forward play. Indeed, his idol is Federico Dimarco, a beloved figure among Inter fans who recently won much admiration with his qualities on the left flank.
Playing in both the Primavera 1 championship and the Youth League, Cocchi has already achieved notable success in the attacking phase: either scoring goals himself or providing valuable assists. He has, in fact, already put up impressive stats, contributing with 4 goals and 4 assists for Inter’s youth team. His technical abilities are clear, and head coach Inzaghi has also noticed this, bringing Cocchi into the senior team fold.
Cocchi’s Future at Inter
Inter currently has Cocchi under contract until 2027, and now that he has just turned 18, the club can offer him professional contract extensions, should they decide that he is a key prospect for the future. Head coach Inzaghi clearly sees something special in the talented defender born in 2007.
The Inter manager himself admitted that Cocchi and several of his Primavera teammates always show dedication during training sessions, as they increasingly train with Inter’s senior squad. Against Feyenoord, Cocchi was granted a chance to play a few minutes at the end of the match, a decision driven partly by the shortage of available wingbacks due to injuries. After several squad inclusions, additional brief appearances, perhaps even in Serie A, could follow soon.
