Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi opened up on the special bond he shares with his Lazio head coach, Gennaro Gattuso.
The 27-year-old returned to the Biancocelesti this summer, completing a loan with an option to buy from Inter Milan . His three Serie A goals ensured he received a call-up from Italy manager Roberto Mancini for the extended international break.
On Friday, Frattesi started on the bench as the Azzurri suffered a 0-2 defeat to Belgium on the opening matchday of the UEFA Nations League. However, the Roman replaced Nicolo Barella in the starting lineup in Monday's away clash against Turkiye, and he managed to get on the scoresheet as Mancini's men returned home with a 4-1 victory.
In his post-match interview (via Il Corriere dello Sport ), Frattesi discussed how important it was for the Azzurri to rebound with a win before Friday's big showdown in Paris against France .
I hadn't scored for two years (for Italy) but I wanted to give a response on the pitch after the other night, just like all the lads. We did things properly, we entertained our fans, and we're happy.We risked losing the enthusiasm that had been rebuilt around this management, so it was essential to do well. It would have been difficult to go to France with a defeat. It keeps morale and enthusiasm high; that was fundamental.
Frattesi also admitted it was difficult for him to start for the national team while he was a mere substitute at Inter over the past three seasons.
On a personal level, if I have played intermittently for the national team, the blame is primarily mine. If you play ten minutes per game and then suddenly find yourself starting, it isn't easy. The blame is split, but now there's this label that I only know how to make runs into the box, whereas even looking at today's game you can see that I can do other things too.When a player is confident, he gives you 100 per cent; when he isn't secure and plays intermittently, he only does what he does best. If you always play ten minutes, you don't gain confidence and you don't build an understanding with your teammates.But I want to make it clear that I'm not just about making runs. Anyone who watched me in the league in the first four games will have noticed what I can do. This label doesn't represent me. I'll work even harder to become 100 per cent complete.
Finally, Frattesi delved into his excellent relationship with Gattuso. The two first worked together in the national team, before reuniting at Lazio this summer.
He gave me my confidence back; he was fundamental for me. He calls me every day, he misses me (laughs).In fact, I'd like to say hello to him because he's surely watching us. If he asked me to walk from Rome to Milan and back, I would do it, because he deserves it.
Gattuso had publicly thanked Frattesi for agreeing to join Lazio even though the club is going through difficult times off the pitch.
