«Lazio» is being reinvigorated with Davide Frattesi, the former Inter midfielder who has justified the faith placed in him with two crucial goals, helping the Biancocelesti defeat Bologna and Genoa. He appeared at Lazio's pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend's away fixture against Udinese.

Sporting Director Angelo Fabiani spoke first: "Davide, how did you come to Lazio? It's an interesting story. Let's go straight to the questions."

Frattesi said: "Actually, I was on a boat at the time, and then the head coach called me. Beyond some procedural matters, it took us two or three days to sort everything out."

Lazio pursued you for many years. What made you decide to come here? Were you always a Lazio fan?

"Unfortunately, nobody really paid much attention to me before. My relationship with Gattuso was established at the national team level. I needed a project like this, so I made the decision quickly. I arrived with enthusiasm and anticipation. I wanted to play well—that's what I thought about from the start. Here I found an excellent team and a very good training facility where I can train properly and enjoy football. I was a ballboy at Lazio when I was a kid. My father always took me to matches in the Curva Tevere; from age 11, I typically worked as a ballboy under the Curva Sud. I think I was quite close with Scamacca during the Coppa Italia final. Later we went to take photos with the players, and I even teased him about it."

What attracted you to Lazio from a technical perspective?

"I had a difficult last season. This is an important city, and it's a good opportunity for me to pursue significant objectives with Lazio."

Will you be that type of player who leaves a big club and chooses Lazio?

"Absolutely. After a physically and mentally exhausting season last year, I realized that money isn't as important as I thought. I'm not saying a person can only earn two euros an hour, but income is not what matters most in life. I would exchange everything in my bank account for just five more minutes with my grandmother."

What went wrong at Inter last season?

"First of all, there were many excellent midfielders there. Then I suffered a serious injury early in the season. My mind wanted to play, but my legs wouldn't cooperate. I practically didn't start proper training until December, but it was already too late, especially at a club that's competing for the title and has such fierce competition."

What goal or moment would make you climb into the stands to celebrate like you did at San Siro?

"It's too early to talk about goals right now, since it's only August. How I celebrate depends on the situation at that moment. I could plan it in advance, but when I score a goal in the 90th minute, my mind goes blank."

What are your personal goals?

"The team's goals are most important, because if we finish 15th, nothing else matters. Of course, I want to score and assist as much as possible to help the team climb higher."

What northern football mentality do you want to bring here? "Some things will be addressed at the club level. I found a very well-developed training complex here—many things that don't exist in Milan. I don't want to be a savior here, but we need to do the small things well, and small things add up to something big. The head coach plans training very well, but I want to bring those two or three small things that can make a difference."

How did Gattuso convince you? "He said he'd come and get me (laughs). He explained the situation to me, and I'm someone who gets easily motivated when I hear about impossible challenges. He made me understand that this place needs revitalizing, and I also got to know him as a person. For a manager like him, if he needs help, of course I'm ready to contribute."

How much did Alessio Romanoli's departure affect the dressing room?

"Alessio's career speaks for itself, and off the pitch I also see him as a role model for many young players. There's an excellent group of Italian players here. Of course, everyone must make choices in their career, and we wish him well. What I can do is be a point of reference for the young players. The team leader is Mattia Zaccagni—he's a very important captain."

Were you surprised by the enthusiasm around your arrival? "Perhaps, but there's something special about completing a cycle and coming home. Many friends asked me when I'd return. I think it's positive, and I also need to feel important again. At Bologna I was in poor form and could only rely on enthusiasm to keep going. We need to try not to let that enthusiasm fade."

Have you moved back to your home in Fidene? If a child wanted to follow your dream, what would you tell them?

"Yesterday I got back and ate a kilo of potato pizza at Appetitosa. I was very focused from childhood and knew exactly what I wanted to do. What matters next is belief and sacrifice. If I had to tell a kid who wants to pursue their dream, it would be: always give your all. If you can make it through this bloody game, you can get some satisfaction for yourself and your family."

How much of a Roman influence do you carry? Was returning to Lazio always part of your plan?

"Coming home, yes—just not this soon. Since my grandmother passed away, my main priority has been to return home. I know it's difficult, but I want to spend more time with my family because I left when I was 16, and if I can make up for lost time, that would be the best thing."

Переведено ИИ.

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