Davide Frattesi, speaking at a press conference ahead of Italy’s upcoming match against Israel, reflected on the national team’s performance and atmosphere, particularly comparing their recent Nations League game against Belgium to their experience at the European Championship.
The Inter Milan midfielder began by addressing the disappointment of the Euros: “What we lacked a bit in the Euro campaign was the enjoyment on the field that we saw against Belgium. Spending so many days in an environment that wasn’t as joyful and pleasant as it is now affected the performance of all the players.”
Frattesi elaborated on the pressure the team faced during the tournament: “There was too much pressure, both from the outside and within. We also put pressure on ourselves; it wasn’t such an enjoyable expedition.”
Discussing the impact of coach Luciano Spalletti, Frattesi shared a personal anecdote: “When we arrived in September, I spoke with him in the gym. He complimented me and said he had great esteem for me, but also that I would be the one he would bother the most.” He then addressed Spalletti’s recent comments about taking responsibility for the Euro performance: “When he came here to say that the blame for the Euros was 99% his, I disagreed. He could have been lighter, but we were the ones who went on the field. For players like us, not being able to make two passes in a row was inconceivable. This thing does him credit, but we know that not all the blame was his.”
Looking ahead to the crucial match against Israel, Frattesi emphasized its importance: “It’s a very important game. We must continue to be first in the group and hope that France and Belgium can draw. The three points would allow us to make considerations that were not contemplated at the beginning of the competition.”
