Davide Frattesi scored the decisive goal to send Inter Milan to the Champions League final last season
Inter's Davide Frattesi celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal against Barcelona
Inter's Davide Frattesi celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal against Barcelona
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Inter Milan hero Davide Frattesi had Thierry Henry in absolute stitches during his post-match interview after propelling the Nerazzurri into the Champions League final last season.
The Italian midfielder is a reported transfer target for Newcastle United this summer, with claims in Italy that the Magpies have had a bid turned down by the Serie A giants. Frattesi is an international team-mate of United star Sandro Tonali, but it remains to be seen whether there is concerete interest.
Newcastle have brought Jacob Ramsey to Tyneside from Aston Villa, and while they are expected to be busy in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, a striker will be their top priority.
Frattesi hit the headlines last season when he scored in a dramatic Chamnpions League semi-final second-leg win over Barcelona, sending the San Siro into rapturous celebrations during extra time.
Inter had earlier surrendered a two-goal advantage on Tuesday evening before Francesco Acerbi forced an additional 30 minutes with a dramatic stoppage-time leveller following Barca's stunning fightback. Frattesi then delivered the decisive moment in the 99th minute.
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The 25 year old entered the fray as a 79th-minute substitute for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and 20 minutes later was racing towards the corner flag in celebration after an incredibly composed finish, reports the Mirror.
The calmness Frattesi displayed left Arsnel legend Henry thoroughly impressed, and he quesioned goalscorer about his mindset as he opted to feint a shot before dispatching the ball into the net during CBS' coverage of the game.
"I didn't see a man that was nervous or that his heart was beating really fast," Henry told the match-winner following the encounter.
"I saw a guy that was composed to finish at that time in that tie, in that game. Explain to us how you thought about doing that.
"Thank you, I don't know," replied Frattesi. "Maybe because I was thinking if I don't score I'm f****d."
Davide Frattesi (left) and Thierry Henry
Davide Frattesi (left) and Thierry Henry
Inter's hero left the CBS Studio in hysterics with Henry dropping his head and slapping the table. Former Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero couldn't contain his grin, standing beside Frattesi.
While Frattesi kept his cool during the pivotal moment, his post-match celebrations told a completely different story. The former Sassuolo midfielder nearly fainted from the excitement.
"I was fortunate to see out the game, as I was celebrating so much I was dizzy and nearly had a blackout!" he admitted. "I have to thank the physios, because yesterday I had an abdominal strain, so they did incredibly work getting me fit for this match.
"It's just incredible, I don't know what to say. I thought after the Bayern Munich game I couldn't repeat that emotion, but it was even more incredible tonight. This is the beauty of football.
"This has been my career, really. I wasn't blessed with incredible talent, but I am the last to give up and the first to believe, so this is a reward for effort and dedication."