Tacchinardi defends Fagioli and wants Frattesi in the starting XI against France

Alessio Tacchinardi, former Italian midfielder, told Tuttosport on the eve of the big Nations League clash between Italy and France that Fagioli is indispensable and that Frattesi cannot be left out of the squad, highlighting Roberto Mancini's confidence in the department.

The context of the Nations League

The intervention came after the victory against Turkey on Monday, where Tacchinardi observed an Italy that, even without a Mbappé, shows a desire to bite and to be a protagonist through the game. Against Turkey he was moved by the tenacity displayed.

Coach Mancini, according to Tacchinardi, must use the market‑value gap between the two squads as a fierce stimulus for our boys; no one has given anything away to France, a team that has strong, serious players who are attached to the national side.

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Tacchinardi added that Italy must play passing football, because it lacks forwards who can break away by beating the defender; the one who has shown he can do it is precisely Fagioli.

His judgment on the midfield is clear: “I would never take Barella, Tonali and Fagioli out, but I would also find space for Frattesi who cannot be left out of this team.”

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Finally, he joked about Zinedine Zidane, now France's head coach, stating “I never would have expected him to become a great coach, zero, not even with a magic ball”; he concluded that having him on the bench is a value for the players.