Just over a year ago, on 4 June 2022, Davide Frattesi made his First Team senior debut for the Azzurri in Bologna in the Nations League group game against Germany. One season later, he is brightening up the press room at Coverciano with his contagious smile while answering questions about the upcoming UEFA Finals, which sees Italy face Spain in the semi-finals in Enschede, the home of FC Twente, in the Netherlands on Thursday at 20:45 CEST.

“We'll need to be compact and alert against the Spainiards, and look to counter strongly. We'll have to suffer some presssure, but we're a strong side and we need to show that.” Davide Frattesi is clear in his mind what characterisitics the Azzurri need to possess to reach the final. Attentions then focused on his area of expertise, the midfield: “We'll need to be aware of their passing and ability to slide balls through. Spain have always had a world-class midfield… but it's also a very strong area of the pitch for us, possibly even the most complete department we have."

And in the squad, Davide also has players to look up to… “Barella was my idol and I used to study him through videos. Now I watch on from closer range but still try to steal a few little secrets…” he says smiling, before moving on to discuss at length Football in Italy: “As Italians, we tend to belittle our football, thinking that everything is better abroad, but the results speak for themselves and even though the finals haven't gone the right way, Football in Italy is heading in the right direction and showing signs of a comeback."

With this in mind, the Under-20 World Cup final is a clear sign: “I want to congratulate Nunziata's boys, who had a fantastic run. Now it's time for the Under-21s at the Euros and I'm sure that they'll have a positive tournament as well. Coach Nicolato? He's become a friend… We speak often.”

Finally, a thought for Silvio Berlusconi, who Davide Frattesi had the pleasure of having as president when at Monza: “My deepest condolences go to his family. I had just the best year at the Club: I remember him coming down to see us with so much fondness.”

The Nations League Finals. After coming out on top of a tough group, that included Hungary, Germany and England, Italy reached the final stages of the competition for the second year running. In the autumn of 2021, the Azzurri were defeated by Spain in the semi-final, but then beat Belgium to claim third place. On Thursday in Enschede, there will be the chance for payback for a place in the final against either the hosts, the Netherlands, or Croatia. This year's final will be played at De Kuip in Rotterdam on Sunday 18 June at 20:45 CEST.

The referee. UEFA has confirmed that in charge of Thursday's fixture with Spain will be Slovenian Slavko Vincic, who refereed the Azzurri's quarter-final clash with Belgium at Euro 2020. He will be assisted by Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, with fourth official Bosnian Irfan Peljito. On VAR duties are Slovenians Nejc Kajtazovic and Matej Jug.

NATIONS LEAGUE FINALS SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Empoli);
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma), Rafael Toloi (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Sassuolo), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain), Nicolò Zaniolo (Galatasaray);
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Tigre).