The transfer of Davide Frattesi to Lazio represents a closed chapter with regrets for Inter. The assessment of the midfielder’s adventure in the Nerazzurri shirt is drawn by journalist Giovanni Capuano in the pages of Panorama.

Frattesi left his mark at decisive moments: he was the author of the goal that brought Inter to the final in Munich, on the night of the crazy comeback and counter-comeback against Barcelona. Before that, he was the man who scored at Bayern Munich‘s home, and even earlier, Simone Inzaghi‘s preferred tactical weapon to break down opposing walls on the way to the second star. Yet, despite his important contributions, the overall assessment remains that of a missed opportunity.

Bought from Sassuolo for 35 million euros and perhaps too quickly labeled as Barella‘s heir, the midfielder never managed to secure an undisputed starting spot at Appiano. Inzaghi had built a specific role for him, which even led to a regular call-up to the national team, but evidently it was not enough. While Inter was planning its climb to the Champions League final, he was looking elsewhere and showing signs of impatience.

On the market for two years, perhaps affected by rumors and frustrations, Frattesi left Milan as a cumbersome surplus. Not to make a leap in quality, but returning to his origins with a move made necessary because Chivu wanted another player, Jones. The formula that overcame the Serie A League’s veto is a loan only on paper.

According to Capuano, the happy ending did not materialize. His age suggests that Frattesi still has room to build a career worthy of expectations, but in modern football, which is played every three days with 14-15 starters, the suspicion is that he was already in the right place at the right time without fully realizing it. A midfield raider, tactically anarchic, a bit of a mezzala and a bit of a second striker, he is looking for a coach who will put him at the center of the project.

Gattuso and Lazio can meet this need, but not the necessity of performing on the international stages experienced with Inter. Step forward or backward? Winter will write the answer, along with the first call-ups from Mancini in the new Azzurri era.

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