Italy secure third place in UEFA Nations League: Frattesi and Dimarco grow in importance for Mancini

Italy have ended their UEFA Nations League campaign in third place with a victory over the Netherlands in Enschede on Sunday afternoon.

The third place-playoff took place ahead of the final later in the day as the Netherlands and Italy had lost previously to Croatia and Spain respectively. Having performed very poorly in the match against Spain, Italy were much better against the Netherlands and won the game 3-2.

Roberto Mancini made eight changes for the second game of the international break, with only Rafael Toloi, Davide Frattesi and Gianluigi Donnarumma keeping their places from the Spain match.

Frattesi and Dimarco growing in influence

At a time when Italy really need some of the most promising players to step up and become leaders in the team, Davide Frattesi and Federico Dimarco have done just that.

The Sassuolo midfielder looks set to get a big move this summer with Juventus the most likely destination, and he is starting to grow in importance internationally. He was very narrowly denied a brilliantly taken goal for offside in the game against Spain, and he did then find the net against the Netherlands.

Mancini is clearly a big fan of his work and is trusting him more and more in midfield. Frattesi also got the assist for Federico Chiesa's goal with a smart pass. The goal for Chiesa will help to grow the transfer interest in him.

By the same token, Dimarco's superb recent season with Inter has helped him become very important for the national team. Be it as part of a back four or a midfield five, he is always one of, if not the primary source of creativity in the team. He opened the scoring on Sunday with a wonderful shot and he played a key role in Frattesi's goal.