Dutch and Italian Stars Shine for National Teams, But Struggle for Starting Spots at Inter

During the recent international break, Inter Milan saw several of its players grab the spotlight on the global stage. However, while players like Denzel Dumfries for the Netherlands and Davide Frattesi for Italy impressed on the international scene, they continue to face challenges securing starting roles for Inter under Simone Inzaghi. This divergence between their success with their national teams and struggles at the club level has become a major talking point among fans and pundits alike.

Dumfries: Hero for the Netherlands, Reserve at Inter

Denzel Dumfries has been a standout performer for the Netherlands. He has consistently been a reliable figure for the Dutch national team, featuring prominently in their European Championship campaign. So far in the tournament, the right wing-back has started all three games, accumulating 247 minutes of action and scoring two crucial goals. His contributions have cemented his status as a key player for the Oranje.

In contrast, his situation at Inter Milan is quite different. Although Dumfries has appeared in seven of Inter’s nine matches this season, five of those appearances have come from the bench. His total playing time of 266 minutes for Inter is almost identical to his international duty minutes, yet his performances for the club have not been as impactful, with just one goal to his name. This discrepancy raises the question: Why can Dumfries excel for the Netherlands but struggle to secure a starting spot at Inter?

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the reasons are multifaceted. First and foremost, Simone Inzaghi's philosophy of “not fixing what isn't broken” plays a significant role. Matteo Darmian, who was the starting right-back last season during Inter's successful campaign that saw them claim their second star, has retained his place in the lineup. Even though Dumfries’ numbers in limited minutes don’t look bad, Darmian’s form has also remained solid, with one goal and one assist in 540 minutes of action this season. More importantly, Darmian has been part of a defense that has only conceded five goals in his 540 minutes, whereas in Dumfries' 266 minutes on the pitch, Inter has conceded four goals—a notable difference that highlights defensive concerns when Dumfries is involved.

The biggest issue, however, appears to be Dumfries' unresolved contract situation. His current deal has just eight months remaining, and negotiations have dragged on for a considerable amount of time due to the club’s change of ownership. While Dumfries has expressed his desire to stay, stating, “I want to renew my contract. There are just a few details left to finalize. I hope we can resolve this issue soon, so I can focus entirely on my future,” the uncertainty surrounding his future is likely contributing to Inzaghi’s reluctance to give him more minutes. Inter doesn’t want to depend too heavily on a player who may not be fully committed for the long term.

That said, La Gazzetta dello Sport argues that Dumfries’ path back to a starting role could brighten if he successfully signs a contract extension. At 30 years old, Darmian is showing signs that he may need to reduce his workload in the coming months, and Dumfries, at 27, still has plenty to offer both offensively and defensively. Should his contract situation be resolved, it would make sense for Inzaghi to reintegrate him more regularly into the starting lineup, particularly given his offensive prowess and physical attributes, which Inter could use as they compete on multiple fronts.

Frattesi: Key Man for Italy, On the Fringes at Inter

Davide Frattesi’s situation mirrors Dumfries’ to some extent, although it is more a matter of tactical fit than contractual issues. Frattesi has been a star under Luciano Spalletti for Italy, featuring in 16 of Spalletti’s 17 games in charge and scoring seven goals. His consistent performances have made him one of Italy’s most valuable midfielders during this period.

Despite this, Frattesi has struggled to lock down a starting spot at Inter. He has only started three matches for the Nerazzurri this season, a statistic that prompted much discussion during the recent international break. When asked about his limited starts at Inter, Frattesi responded candidly: “I’ve started three games this season, which is already more than last season… I understand Inzaghi’s decisions because Inter has multiple top-class midfielders. It’s a difficult situation.”

The tactical demands at Inter also present a challenge for Frattesi. In the pre-match press conference ahead of Italy’s Nations League clash, Frattesi acknowledged that playing in Italy’s 3-5-1-1 system has caused some difficulties for him. “The system creates some challenges for me. I’m a mezzala, a box-to-box midfielder, and Spalletti often asks me to drop deeper and take more touches. But I don't think I should be playing in the Pellegrini role in this setup,” Frattesi said, referencing Italy’s current tactical configuration.

At Inter, the situation is similarly complex. Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system relies heavily on the box-to-box capabilities of Nicolo Barella, another dynamic Italian midfielder who has been instrumental for the club. With Barella firmly entrenched as a starter and playing in Frattesi’s preferred position, the 24-year-old midfielder faces an uphill battle for regular starts. Some pundits have suggested that Frattesi could explore a different position within Inter’s setup, such as playing as a central attacking midfielder or even a wing-back. However, Frattesi himself has shown little interest in changing his role, believing that his best contributions come from making late runs into the box from his current position.

Frattesi’s approach seems to be one of patience and perseverance. He acknowledged his need to improve certain aspects of his game, particularly in terms of dropping deeper to collect the ball and maintain possession, which has traditionally not been his strongest suit. “My plan is to improve on my weaknesses, and I know this is the path I need to take if I want to start more regularly,” Frattesi said. He also reassured reporters that he would not cause any disruptions within the squad if his playing time continues to be limited. “I’m not the kind of player who creates problems for the coach or my teammates. I’ll keep working hard and trust the process.”

Frattesi’s mentality and willingness to improve bode well for his future, both at Inter and internationally. Italy has seen several midfielders over the years—such as Claudio Marchisio, Gigi Di Biagio, and Massimo Ambrosini—who developed significantly in their mid-20s after working on their weaknesses. If Frattesi follows a similar trajectory, there’s every reason to believe he can eventually establish himself as a starter at Inter.

International Breaks: A Double-Edged Sword for Inter

Inter’s international break posed several challenges beyond the individual performances of Dumfries and Frattesi. The club sent 12 players on international duty, fewer than the nearly 20 from last season, but the long-haul travel across continents—including to destinations like Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Iceland, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Georgia—has undoubtedly taken a toll on the physical and mental energy of the squad. Managing fatigue and fitness will be a top priority for Inzaghi as he navigates Inter’s demanding schedule in the coming weeks.

Yet, while the international break offers players a chance to showcase their abilities on a global stage, it also creates fresh selection dilemmas for Inzaghi, who must balance squad rotation with maintaining team cohesion and momentum. For Dumfries and Frattesi, their performances for their national teams have only intensified the debate about whether they should feature more prominently at Inter. As both players continue to thrive on the international stage, their ability to translate that form into regular starting spots at Inter remains a key storyline to watch as the season progresses.