I don’t intend to get too excited after two, yes two, matches of the national team. The recent disappointments of the Azzurri (no World Cup and an embarrassing last European Championship) suggest going easy on the easy enthusiasm. Undoubtedly, after the disastrous Euro 2024, it is a panacea to have won two games in a row. The first, undoubtedly, was more enjoyable because we had the Galletti in front of us… However, beating even the difficult Israel was not so obvious, especially in light of the enormous difficulties shown in the past by Spalletti’s Italy. So, these two successes are very welcome. The Nations League, personally, does not excite me much but it is still an official tournament for nations and, therefore, it must be honored (also because it can give us a softer draw in view of qualifying for the next World Cup).
Clearly, in this “new” national team there are two players who have fire inside: Frattesi and Tonali. The first, with the goal against Israel, has reached seven goals for the Azzurri. He scored with his chest, which is not exactly a trivial thing. Here, Frattesi is not a starter for Inter. How can one of the best Azzurri players (along with Donnarumma, Barella and Tonali), not be a starter for his own club? Unfortunately, Frattesi plays for Inter where, in terms of midfielders, we are truly at the top. It would be difficult to steal the place of one of Barella, Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan… However, it hurts to see Frattesi forced into the role of “first substitution of Inter’s starters”…
It hurts even more to think that Tonali is not a Serie A star.
Off-field problems aside, we are talking about a modern midfielder, capable of doing everything on the pitch. Ok, the Premier League is the best championship in the world but Milan should have fought for Tonali. True, faced with certain figures it is difficult to say no and, honestly, there are also other aspects that can influence but Tonali is Tonali. Who knows how beautiful it would have been to see him continue his adventure with the Devil. He could also have become a Rossoneri flag. It didn’t happen. Luckily, no one can take away his blue jersey…
I don’t know if these two players will make us make the leap in quality but I’m sure that, with them on the pitch, there is more determination and desire to suffer for the blue jersey. They are two fighters, they never stop fighting and this is what you need when you don’t have real top players. Be careful, maybe these two will become top players. Better to remember: Frattesi was born in 1999, Tonali is even younger (born in 2000). Guys, it’s up to you…