Davide Frattesi arrives at the Penzo with a chance to turn an encouraging opening into a more significant chapter of Lazio’s season. The midfielder has already made an immediate mark under Gennaro Gattuso, scoring in three league matches and helping the Biancocelesti collect six points through decisive strikes against Bologna and Udinese. Venezia now offer him the opportunity to score in a third successive away league fixture, something he has never achieved in his career.
The coach and the club
Gattuso has quickly made Frattesi a reference point in Lazio’s midfield. The former Inter player has brought energy, endurance and a willingness to attack the box, qualities sharpened during his three seasons in Milan. His early Lazio appearances have underlined that he is not merely a midfielder capable of adding goals, but a player who can alter the rhythm of a match with his running and timing.
His first Lazio goal came at Bologna, where he entered in place of Dele-Bashiru and scored five minutes later. Dia provided the lay-off and Frattesi beat Lukasz Skorupski with a right-footed finish to make it 1-0. It was an instant introduction, and a goal that carried particular weight in the eventual result.
He followed it with another goal against Genoa at the Olimpico, before becoming central again in Udine. Lazio were chasing the game when Mattia Zaccagni worked space down the left and delivered the cross. Frattesi arrived in the area, sliding the ball beneath the crossbar with a controlled finish that began the Biancocelesti comeback. Gudmundsson later completed the turnaround against the Friulani.
After five appearances for Lazio, including a late outing in the Coppa Italia tie against Mantova, finishing has naturally become the most visible part of Frattesi’s contribution. Yet his value also lies in the work before the final touch: he attacks vacant spaces, breaks beyond opposing lines and offers a passing option in the decisive area of the pitch. For a side looking to produce more around the penalty box, he has become an additional attacking presence.
A familiar opponent before the break
The trip to Venezia is Lazio’s final match before the international break, when Frattesi will join up with the national team. He has previous scoring history against Venezia, having found the net for Sassuolo in a 3-1 Serie A victory on 23 October 2021. That strike was his first goal in Italy’s top division.
He came close to adding another against Milan, although his left-footed diagonal effort travelled too wide from a difficult angle against Mike Maignan. The chance nevertheless reflected the same instinct that has already helped Lazio: Frattesi does not wait for openings to appear; he moves to create and occupy them.
At the Penzo, the objective is straightforward. A fourth league goal would extend his personal run, while another decisive away contribution would give Lazio fresh momentum before the pause. Frattesi has already shown Gattuso what he can bring; Venezia present the next test of how far that early impact can carry the club.
