Midfielder Davide Frattesi could get his chance to start for Inter Milan ahead of Henrikh Mkhitaryan against Cagliari.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, via FCInterNews.
24-year-old Italian international Frattesi has not been a regular starter in his first season at Inter.
Frattesi joined the Nerazzurri from Sassuolo last summer. And whilst he arrived for a significant fee and with big expectations, the Azzurri midfielder has not yet nailed down his spot in the starting eleven.
In fact, Frattesi has started more regularly for the national team than he has for his club.
That does not mean that Frattesi has not made an impact for Inter, however.
The 24-year-old has proven a very effective option from the bench.
Frattesi has in fact scored two stoppage time winners for the Nerazzurri. Both have come as substitutes.
Frattesi had been the scorer of Inter’s winning goal in a 2-1 win over Hellas Verona in January.
And then last Monday, the former Sassuolo midfielder again scored in stoppage time to give Inter the win – this time against Udinese.
Davide Frattesi Could Get Chance To Start For Inter Vs Cagliari
Sooner or later, however, Frattesi will certainly be expected to become a starter for Inter.
For the fee that the Nerazzurri paid, the Italian will certainly hope to become more than an impact substitute.
This season it has been Henrikh Mkhitaryan who has kept Frattesi out of the starting eleven.
The Armenian has more than a decade of experience more than Frattesi.
And Mkhitaryan’s performances reflect that fact. The 35-year-old former Roma and Arsenal veteran has provided calm on the ball and strong tactical understanding to stitch together Inter’s midfield trio in the 3-5-2 system.
But Mkhitaryan may be out of the starting eleven against Cagliari this evening.
The reason would be that the Armenian is one booking away from suspension. And Inter’s next match is the derby against AC Milan.
Therefore, Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi may decide not to risk Mkhitaryan.
And in that case, the 35-year-old’s understudy could get the chance to prove himself.
Frattesi could get his opportunity in the lineup just a week after his big goal against Udinese.
More must-reads: