January feels very distant now, with the first real warm sun reminding us that summer is just around the corner. But amidst this flourishing nature, some continue to experience their personal winter. This is certainly true for Davide Frattesi, who considered leaving Milan during the last transfer window, hoping to find a coach who would give him more playing time than Simone Inzaghi has. Things didn’t go as he expected, and the issue is only postponed. As March progresses, no agent, external or internal, has changed his “unhappy” situation.
Lack of Trust and a Variable Factor – In the last ten league games, Frattesi’s playing time has been minimal, mostly in emergency situations (excluding the Coppa Italia): 4 times on the bench, 4 brief appearances, and two starts. In total, he played 210 minutes. Zielinski, another reserve midfielder, has accumulated almost double the minutes, 398, in the same period. Looking at the numbers, it’s hard not to think there’s a lack of trust in the player, which neither time nor work at Appiano Gentile seems to compensate for. However, a variable might influence this situation: Zielinski’s recent muscle injury. Initial indications suggest a lengthy absence, potentially creating more space for Frattesi in a midfield now with one less player.
The Bridge – Last night, Correa was chosen to replace Zielinski (who came on in the 25th minute and left in the 28th due to a calf problem). However, the circumstances were specific, with Inter seeking a winning goal against Monza after having already equalized twice. Inzaghi opted for a player who could provide more pressure on Monza’s defense. In “normal” conditions, the coach would have considered other options, which are now postponed to the future. The news of Frattesi being on the bench was already notable in the morning when it was confirmed that the two cautioned midfielders, Barella and Mkhitaryan, would play, risking suspension for the Atalanta match. When it became clear that the former Sassuolo player wouldn’t even come on, many had a recurring thought: “If not now, when?”. The next two months will be a bridge between the present and the future, likely in search of his own sunshine.