Ausilio: ‘Frattesi never asked to leave Inter, no interest in Donnarumma’ | OneFootball

Inter director Piero Ausilio urges his team to get the Champions League job done against Sparta Prague, then insists Davide Frattesi ‘never asked’ to leave, while denying Gianluigi Donnarumma interest.

It kicks off at the Stadion Letná at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Milan-Girona on the Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri know a victory here could guarantee their place in the top eight and therefore direct access to the Round of 16, without needing to go through the play-offs.

They had not conceded a single goal until the late 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, so the pressure is on to get back on track in Europe.

“Aside from the economic aspect, the most important thing is prestige and ambition of this club, so our only objective is to get through and hopefully as one of the top eight,” Ausilio told Sky Sport Italia.

The top eight go directly into the Round of 16, then everyone from ninth to 24th enter the play-offs, with goal difference set to be decisive for position.

“The format is so complicated now that trying to check the various possibilities would drive you crazy, so it is best we just focus on getting the three points and locking down our place this evening.”

Inter update on Frattesi, Buchanan and Donnarumma

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 05: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy speaks with the media during the Press conference at Parc des Princes stadium on September 05, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

The transfer window is also open, but after weeks of speculation around Davide Frattesi and Roma, is that saga over for the midfielder?

“In reality, it’s quite simple. The lad never came to ask us for a sale. The coach checked with everyone in the squad, they are all concentrated on our many objectives. Frattesi is an important player in this team, he never explicitly asked to leave.

“Clubs never made a formal approach to us either. His agent is a nice guy, and he is a friend, but he’s also very active and probably created some movement especially in the media.

“As I said, we are very happy with Frattesi, he hasn’t played so much recently not because of technical reasons, but due to slight physical issues. Despite not being at 100 per cent, he never pulled back and always said he was ready to play when needed.”

There is a player who could leave Inter in January and it is wing-back Tajon Buchanan, who is in negotiations for a loan move to Torino.

“I can say there is some truth in it, because we are evaluating with him and his entourage whether it is best for him to play the next few months here or elsewhere. He has recovered from a very serious injury, so hasn’t had much playing time.

“Torino are not the only club interested, there are also other Italian sides and some abroad. I also will not rule out the possibility that Buchanan could remain here for the rest of the season.”

Sky Sport Italia have also reported that Inter are keeping an eye on Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Donnarumma, who could soon be a free agent and potentially return to San Siro for the rivals of his old club Milan.

“I’ll be honest, the role of goalkeeper is not our priority, because we have two very good players in that position. So with all due respect for the Italy international Donnarumma, this is not our priority and we are looking elsewhere,” insisted Ausilio.