Inter Milan's Giant Slayers Poised to Shine Again: How to Deploy Key Weapons in the Derby d'Italia

As the Derby d'Italia approaches, Italian media has been focusing on Inter Milan's "big game players." Some names frequently mentioned include Federico Dimarco and Simone Inzaghi. Dimarco has been outstanding against top teams for both club and country, accumulating goals and assists that are too numerous to count. Inzaghi, known as a "Juventus slayer," has led Inter to a favorable record against their arch-rivals, boasting four wins, two draws, and two losses in eight matches, a record that ranks him among the best in Inter's history for the Derby d'Italia. Players like Lautaro Martinez and Francesco Acerbi also need no introduction, as they are known for their resilience and performance in big games.

However, there are other "giant slayers" within Inter's ranks, as highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, such as Davide Frattesi. Despite being in his first year at Inter, Frattesi has shown promise with his performances. In the league and Champions League, he has accumulated 498 minutes of playing time, scoring one goal and providing three assists, averaging a goal contribution every 124.5 minutes. For a midfielder, these are commendable stats.

Frattesi's critics on platforms like Tieba and Weibo point out that he has yet to fully showcase his strengths. His main roles include forward runs, helping in transitions, and engaging in physical battles. Due to ongoing adjustments and integration into the team, Frattesi's latter two strengths have not been fully displayed, leading some so-called experts to label him a "poor man's Vecino."

Another reason for the skepticism around Frattesi is the high expectations set by his significant transfer fee. Before joining, some fans only knew him through highlight reels, which can often lead to overestimation. In modern football, even mediocre players can have highlight reels that make them look like Lionel Messi. Once Frattesi started playing for Inter, the reality differed from the expectations set by those compilations. Inter fans have seen many new signings arrive with high praise, only to be harshly criticized later, which has led to this cautious approach.

In fairness, Frattesi's early performances at Inter can be described as having "flashes of brilliance with room for improvement." There is reason to believe that with more time to gel with the team and as the season progresses, Frattesi will have more opportunities to make significant contributions.

Frattesi's ability to perform in big matches is particularly noteworthy. Though he has only been in Serie A for a few years, this season being his "junior year," he has already scored 12 goals in the league. Remarkably, five of these goals have come against the Milan clubs and Juventus, an impressive ratio. In the 2021-22 season, his debut season in Serie A, he made a name for himself by scoring against Juventus while playing for Sassuolo. Last season, he scored against both Inter and AC Milan, making him a highly sought-after player in the transfer market.

Since joining Inter this season, he continued this trend by scoring in the Milan Derby, cementing his place in the team. His performances for the Italian national team have also been notable. In 11 appearances, he has registered four goals and one assist. Notably, two of these goals came against top-tier teams like the Netherlands, and another two were scored against Ukraine in crucial Euro qualifiers, highlighting his knack for delivering in important matches.

Given Frattesi's penchant for rising to the occasion, Italian media has highlighted his potential impact in the Derby d'Italia. If Inzaghi opts for a cautious start, Frattesi could be a crucial substitute. With several injuries and South American players fatigued from international duty, Frattesi is one of the few reliable options off the bench.

In a high-stakes match like this, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is expected to deploy his best players to tightly mark Inter's key figures like Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and Nicolo Barella. This is where Frattesi's ability to create problems from the periphery comes into play. His capability to surprise the opposition and make impactful contributions could be invaluable.

Frattesi's track record as a "giant slayer" makes him a significant asset for Inter in such crucial encounters. His current form and the team's needs align perfectly, making him a potential game-changer, even if he doesn't start. This explains why the Italian media is focusing on Frattesi in the lead-up to the Derby d'Italia.

Inter Milan has a rich history of players who step up in big moments, and Frattesi is proving to be the latest in this line. As the team prepares for one of the most important matches of the season, his role, whether starting or coming off the bench, could be pivotal. The Derby d'Italia is not just a test of skill but also of character, and Frattesi has shown he has both in abundance. As the match draws closer, all eyes will be on how Inzaghi utilizes this burgeoning talent to tip the scales in Inter's favor.