Frattesi: France’s third squad could win the World Cup, Romano similar to Matic | OneFootball

Lazio midfielder Davide Frattesi admits he didn’t watch a single World Cup game last summer, but the gap between the Azzurri and the other top countries remains wide, and he compares debutant Alessandro Romano to Nemanja Matic.

Frattesi held a press conference at Coverciano today, Wednesday, September 23, on the third day of preparations for Friday’s Nations League match against Belgium.

Frattesi, 27, joined Lazio from Inter last summer and has already netted three goals in five Serie A appearances this season.

“Last year I didn’t have the same consistency, and quite rightly so, because different negative things piled up. When you start again, you do it full throttle, as if you had been saving all your energy for that moment,” he told reporters, including Football Italia.

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Davide Frattesi of SS Lazio celebrates after scoring an opening goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on August 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Frattesi has now become a key Lazio player, whereas over the last three seasons at Inter, he had never been a regular starter.

“In these three years at Inter, there were moments that can’t be replicated in terms of emotions,” he said.

“As I wrote in my farewell post on Instagram, there were many highs and lows. Very low lows and incredibly high highs. You can only feel really good at a place if, in the end, you get to play. That’s the truth.

“I’ve started enjoying myself again, and I’m happy to have that enjoyment I had as a kid, at Sassuolo, and at different moments at Inter.”

Looking backwards, was it a mistake to remain at Inter in 2025-26?

“I was coming off a year with coach Inzaghi and some great emotions, goals I had dreamed about,” he replied.

“Then, with Chivu, we spoke before the operation, and he told me things that convinced me. I was in love with the environment. Looking back, yes, but it’s too easy to say that with hindsight. It’s part of a player’s journey. You can have one bad year.”

Frattesi has reunited with ex-Italy coach Gattuso at Lazio.

VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach of SS Lazio Gennaro Gattuso looks on during the Serie A match between Venezia FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on September 19, 2026 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

“I always felt his trust even when I wasn’t playing much for the national team.

“When he called me back this summer, I didn’t think twice. I appreciate him as a person before I appreciate him as a coach.

“The things we said to each other when we were talking weren’t exactly very nice… let’s leave it at that,” he added, laughing.

The Lazio midfielder revealed that he never talks with Gattuso about the failed World Cup qualification.

“I could score 20 goals this year, but it’s a wound that’s still bleeding. It will take time,” he admitted.

“We never talk about this; we’ve only talked about Lazio. We know it’s difficult for both him and me. I went to Lazio because I wanted to come back here and because he was here.”

Asked how many goals he aims to score this season, Frattesi replied with another smile: “I’m not saying, because it brings bad luck.”

Frattesi scored his first Italy goal in 2023, in Mancini’s last game as the Azzurri boss.

“It’s the same Mancini we left behind. We shouldn’t be looking at next week, but further ahead,” Frattesi said.

“Even if we make mistakes, it’s important that we try. As the games get harder, you can only do something special by making mistakes along the way. We have a lot of new players here for the first time, and they’re quality. I believe they’ll help us.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – AUGUST 24: Roberto Mancini Coach of Saudi Nation team looks on during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Shabab and Al Ettifaq at Al-Shabab Club Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

“I’m happy that he [Mancini] is back, just like the whole group is.

“The truth is, these [the reasons for Mancini’s exit in 2023] aren’t really our business, and I don’t think anyone should be blamed either. People talk, but I’d like to see how many people wouldn’t have done the same thing. The talk means nothing, and we’re all absolutely delighted to have him back with us.

“The new group is full of young players,” Frattesi continued.

“We’re starting to build something nice. A lot of them are new, and it’s up to us to help them settle in, but I’ve seen players with quality who I believe will give us a hand.”

Among the new young players, who has impressed him the most?

“They’re all good players. Obviously, from what I’ve seen, I like Inacio,” Frattesi admitted.

“He’s a young player, but he has quality and personality. I like him.”

Caglari’s Romano is another player who has caught Frattesi’s eye.

“In my opinion, he’s similar to Matić,” he said.

“I’ve seen those kinds of movements from him, with that left foot. He’s a good lad with a level head. I’m sure he’ll help us out.”

How are the Azzurri preparing for Friday’s game against Belgium?

“Belgium have changed their coach, so with Van Bommel we don’t really know what to expect.

“We watched a few Antwerp games. It will be a difficult and open game, and we can’t wait to play it.

“It’s always nice to come back to the Olimpico, and it’s always nice to have family and friends in the stands. The preparation is always the same. Today we’ll work on set pieces. The preparation is fairly standard, but we’re ready.”

BOLOGNA, ITALY – AUGUST 24: Davide Frattesi of Lazio celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on August 24, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

On Friday, attendance will surely be higher than during Lazio home games as fans are still boycotting president Claudio Lotito.

“Honestly, you have to separate the two things,” he said.

“We know that we’ve always followed the national team, despite the recent events. It will be a great atmosphere.”

“I’m doing well now. I’m starting to feel good again over the full 90 minutes. When you haven’t played for a while, you can also get tired earlier, but that’s part of getting back to full fitness. I feel good, and I’m ready for these games.”

A reporter asked Frattesi about the gap between Italy and other top countries, including France, whom the Azzurri will meet in Paris next Monday.

“I didn’t watch a single World Cup game, not even the final,” he said.

“Honestly, there’s a difference. The third-best team in France could win the World Cup. The difference is there, and it’s not even a small one, but on the pitch the gap gets smaller. Then it’s also a matter of taking your chances. The biggest difference is the pace. In my opinion, the others play at a higher intensity than we do. That’s the truth.”

Did he expect to see his Lazio side at the top of the table after five games?

“I didn’t, also because at the start of the season there wasn’t exactly huge enthusiasm, since we were coming from the Mantova game in Coppa Italia and the conditions weren’t exactly ideal.

“I like the fact that we’ve created a good group, and that makes a difference. You bounce back from disappointments more quickly, and you can recharge.

“As for the Scudetto, there are the Inter and Roma lads; you can ask them,” he added, smiling.

Doesn’t he find it strange that Juve has only one player called up (Vicario) and Milan has no representatives in the Italy squad?

“Yes, but just look at the line-ups,” Frattesi said.

“Against Sassuolo, Juventus only had Vicario in the starting XI. It’s the same for Milan. In their team against us, the only starter was Cissé, who is now with the Under-21s. Very few players are also playing abroad. This is something that should be talked about more, but it’s not really my place to do so at the moment.”