A quarter of an hour as a winger, just like at the beginning of his football career. Against France, in the last match played by the National Team at San Siro, Dimarco came on for Cambiaghi in the last 15 minutes, playing as an attacking winger. In this position, he immediately made his presence felt, providing the assist for Frattesi‘s goal.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Dimarco took his first steps in football precisely as a winger: first at Calvairate, his debut team, then in the Nerazzurri youth sector. Dribbling, acceleration, the ability to take on opponents, and a sharp left foot: these were the weapons with which he made the difference in the final meters.
The turning point came around the age of 12-13, when his coach Ravera realized that by moving him further back, he could be even more effective. At the end of a training session, he suggested Dimarco transform himself into a left-back. Dimarco initially received that advice with disappointment: used to playing close to the goal, he suddenly found himself relegated several meters further back. Over time, however, he understood its value, and in 2016 he recounted the initial difficulties of that change.
After the Inter youth teams, his first experience among professionals came with Ascoli in Serie B, before gradually establishing himself as one of the indispensable members of the Nerazzurri squad. Today he mainly plays as a left wing-back, a role that allows him to express most of his offensive qualities: 26 goals and 54 assists with Inter testify to how decisive he is both in the attacking play and in the final pass.
What was seen at San Siro in the match against France shows that his past as a winger can be a valuable tactical resource for the National Team as well, exploiting his left foot, his ability to beat his man, and his quality in providing assists even in a more advanced position.
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