Frattesi Talks About Childhood, Injury, and His New Team
Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi has shared personal memories and thoughts about his football career after joining Lazio from Inter Milan.
Frattesi spoke about his childhood in an interview, saying his father used to take him to the Tevere, the famous river that runs through Rome. This shows a strong connection to the city.
He also discussed his time at Inter Milan, where he said he felt penalised because of an injury. To be penalised means to be treated unfairly or to suffer a disadvantage because of something.
Frattesi described joining Lazio as a long-held dream, saying the idea of playing for the club started a long time before it actually happened.
He also spoke about his relationship with Lazio's coach, Gennaro Gattuso, saying he would go to war for him. This expression shows deep loyalty and trust in his manager.
Reports describe Frattesi as bringing value to his new team, comparing his contribution to gold. He is credited with giving courage to a squad that had seemed depressed, or low in confidence, before his arrival.
Separately, Milan player Rafael Leao has said goodbye to fans, reflecting on whether his time at the club was a positive experience.
Vocabulary10 words
- midfielder
- a football player who plays in the middle of the field
- penalised
- treated unfairly because of something
- long-held dream
- a wish someone has had for a long time
- loyalty
- strong support for someone
- value
- how useful or important something is
- courage
- bravery; not being afraid
- depressed
- feeling very sad or without energy
- squad
- a group of sports players in a team
- confidence
- belief in yourself
- reflecting
- thinking carefully about something
Quiz
Answer key
1. To the Tevere river 2. He felt penalised by an injury 3. He would go to war for him
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi has shared personal memories after joining _____ from Inter Milan.
Frattesi said his father used to take him to the _____, the famous river in Rome.
He said he felt _____ at Inter Milan because of an injury.
Frattesi described joining Lazio as a _____ dream that started long before it happened.
He said he would go to _____ for coach Gennaro Gattuso.
Frattesi is credited with giving _____ to a squad that seemed depressed before his arrival.
Reports describe Frattesi as bringing great _____ to his new team.
Milan player Rafael Leao has said _____ to fans, reflecting on his time at the club.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think childhood memories are often shared in sports interviews?
- How can an injury affect a professional athlete's career and confidence?
- What does it mean for a player to feel a 'long-held dream' about joining a club?
- Why might a team need a player who brings 'courage' or confidence to the group?