Comparing Inter and Juve's "12th Man": Frattesi's Five Areas of Improvement Overshadowing Juve's €58 Million Star

The Italian media has ignited a lively debate with their analysis of Serie A powerhouses' “12th men.” Notably, La Gazzetta dello Sport presented an article comparing key rotational midfielders from Serie A giants, sparking heated discussions among fans and pundits. For Inter Milan, Davide Frattesi, and for Juventus, Teun Koopmeiners, have both found themselves temporarily positioned as impactful non-starters. While the focus has largely been on these two players, one notable absence from the comparison is Napoli’s Scott McTominay, whose role as a regular starter sets him apart from this analysis.

Frattesi and Koopmeiners: Fighting for Influence

Both Frattesi and Koopmeiners are not yet considered mainstays in their respective starting lineups, although Frattesi has seen more game time recently due to Hakan Çalhanoğlu's injury. At present, Frattesi ranks 11th in minutes played for Inter. With the Turkish maestro set to return soon, Frattesi will likely resume his role as Inter's 12th man. Koopmeiners, for Juventus, is in a similar spot, currently holding the 12th position in playing time for the Bianconeri.

However, La Gazzetta dello Sport argues that Frattesi has outshone Koopmeiners in multiple areas this season. When it comes to direct contributions, Frattesi's output has been superior: the Italian midfielder has notched three goals and one assist compared to Koopmeiners' solitary assist. Defensively, Frattesi also has a slight edge, averaging 1.73 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, while Koopmeiners averages 1.61. In terms of influence and status, Frattesi enjoys greater prestige in Italy, as being an Italian international holds more sway than a Dutch international in the Serie A landscape.

The financials also paint Frattesi in a favorable light. According to official financial reports, his transfer fee amounted to €31.37 million, with a significant portion of the cost mitigated through creative accounting—Inter used credits from the Andrea Pinamonti sale and offsets involving players like Mulattieri to reduce the real outlay. In contrast, Juventus splurged €58 million on Koopmeiners, with €52 million being guaranteed and €6 million in add-ons. With these factors combined, it’s hardly surprising that La Gazzetta dello Sport leans in favor of Frattesi.

Frattesi’s Evolution: Five Key Areas of Improvement

Football commentator Altorbechi and Opta statistics reveal that Frattesi has made notable strides in his second season with Inter. The Italian midfielder has shown growth in five crucial areas, highlighting why his increasing minutes under Simone Inzaghi make perfect sense.

1. Enhanced Availability and Impactful Minutes

Last season, Frattesi played 32 Serie A matches for Inter, starting only six of them. His starts accounted for a mere 18.75% of the total games, and he accumulated 955 minutes, which represented only 27.9% of the maximum possible playing time in the league. This season, the landscape has changed significantly. Frattesi has featured in all ten Serie A matches so far, starting four times. His starting percentage has climbed to 40%, and he has already logged 545 minutes, equaling 60.6% of the potential playing time. These numbers underline a substantial increase in his role and the trust placed in him by Inzaghi.

2. Improved Shot Conversion

Frattesi has also refined his offensive efficiency. Last season, he attempted 3.02 shots per 90 minutes, converting 19% of those into goals. This season, his shot frequency has decreased to 2.13 per 90 minutes, but his conversion rate has improved to 23%. Although he shoots less often, his impact remains considerable. This efficiency is even more impressive when compared to primary strikers like Lautaro Martínez, who has a conversion rate of 15%. Frattesi's refined shot selection and clinical edge highlight his progress.

3. Defensive Aggression and Positional Awareness

Frattesi’s defensive work rate and aggression have markedly improved. He now attempts 1.15 tackles per 90 minutes, up from 0.94 last season. Additionally, his “ball recoveries”—a metric that tracks how often a player regains possession—have increased by 67% compared to the previous season. His dueling ability has also seen a leap: last year, Frattesi engaged in 3.41 one-on-one battles per 90 minutes, winning only 44% of them. This season, he attempts 4.48 duels per 90 minutes, with a success rate of 58%.

This shift in style is not coincidental. Frattesi has transitioned from being an attack-minded midfielder who prioritized shooting to one who emphasizes defensive contributions and physical engagement. Despite his increased defensive duties, his scoring efficiency has not suffered, making his development all the more commendable.

4. Improved Passing and Team Integration

Frattesi's ability to distribute the ball has also improved. His overall pass completion rate has climbed from 78.1% last season to 86.5% this season. Notably, his mid-range passing (15-30 yards) success rate has jumped from 79.6% to 86.4%, and his long-ball accuracy (over 30 yards) has risen from 77.8% to 83.3%. His passes into the attacking third have increased from 1.7 per 90 minutes last season to 2.13 this season.

This transformation is less about Frattesi’s technical skill suddenly evolving and more about his growing understanding of Inter’s system. In his second year, he is more familiar with his teammates and more aware of how to position himself within the tactical setup, which has boosted his passing effectiveness and overall cohesion with the squad.

5. Reduced Error Rate

One of Frattesi’s most notable improvements has been in ball security. This season, he loses possession 14% less frequently than he did last season. His passing mistakes have also decreased, and he is dribbled off the ball significantly less often. Last season, he was dispossessed 1.23 times per 90 minutes when attempting to dribble, but that figure has dropped to just 0.16 this season. This improvement is partly due to a more judicious approach to dribbling. Instead of attempting speculative runs, Frattesi now picks his moments, resulting in a dribbling success rate that has soared from 33% to 80%.

Fewer turnovers mean fewer counterattacking opportunities for opponents, a critical factor for a team that prides itself on controlling possession and tempo.

Frattesi’s Role in a Veteran Squad

Frattesi recently turned 25, a milestone that some clubs might view as signaling the end of “prospect” status. In certain squads, his age might even be considered “too old” for a player who has yet to fully establish himself as a first-team regular. However, at Inter, things are different. Among the top 12 players in terms of minutes played this season, Frattesi is the youngest. Many of his teammates are nearly a decade older, emphasizing the aging core of the team.

Inter’s reliance on older players is a well-known issue. The club’s dependence on seasoned veterans cannot be the future, a reality acknowledged by both fans and management. In this context, integrating younger talents like Frattesi into more prominent roles is essential. His evolving contributions are a positive development for a team looking to transition smoothly over the coming seasons. Given the circumstances, perhaps Frattesi deserves more patience from the fanbase, even if he still has room to grow.

In the transfer market, spending €58 million does not necessarily guarantee a player significantly better than Frattesi. And as La Gazzetta dello Sport concludes, the comparison between Inter’s emerging star and Juventus’ expensive acquisition tilts in favor of Frattesi—for now, at least.