Spinaccè, Cocchi and Bovo: how Inter’s babies grow

Matteo Spinaccè will have to offer a dinner to a handful of faithful friends. Some were waiting for him in Fontanafredda, in the province of Pordenone, where his Under 23 team lost 1-0 against Dolomiti Bellunesi. In the stands there was a banner just for him with the words: “Fontanafredda salutes our Matteo”. Except that Spinaccè was at San Siro with Chivu, ready to make his debut against Venezia in the Italian Cup after scoring 4 goals in C under Vecchi. Also on the pitch with him are Matteo Cocchi – who had already made his debut among the greats last year, against Feyenoord – and Leonardo Bovo, also making his debut.

thorn and cattle

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Chivu knows them all. Spinaccé played 36 games under his wing in the youth team, Cocchi 34, Bovo 26. At first and last, a striker and a midfielder, he gave them their debut among the greats by having them play in the last ten minutes. Years ago he took them to play paintball as a group. During the matches he had fun with them. He scolded them when it was right to do so and hugged them to give them confidence, as he does now with Lautaro. Spinaccè, from Friuli, 19 years old, at Inter since 2020, was one of his first strikers. He had also given him minutes in Benghazi, Libya, in the match against Atletico. Inter have locked him up until 2029 hoping they can find a new Esposito in their hands. “Even if I see myself in Thuram,” he said post-match. Matteo, born three days after the 2006 World Cup final, is a 9.5 with a license to be a wildcard. He loves playing between the lines and not just on the edge. This year he provided two assists and scored 4 goals in 13 games. The road is still long. The same goes for Bovo, twenty years old, 11 season appearances. In between there was also an ankle injury: “Making your debut at San Siro is something that stays with you – he reiterated in the post -, I want to continue like this. I am inspired by Calhanoglu”.

cocchi pupil

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Cocchi has been a protégé of Chivu for several years. Also protected with a long contract (2030), he scored one goal in 10 games in Serie C. He and Leonardo Bovo lived together. Growing up in Molinella, a town near Bologna, as a child he went with his grandfather to watch matches. Those who know him describe him as a calm guy, with his head on his shoulders, not at all influenced by the reputation of the “new Dimarco” that hovers above him. “Last night I slept, the coach hadn’t told me anything to leave me alone. I work every day to improve,” he said. On his right arm there are a series of tattoos. The keystone to open his world: a rose, his two dogs, the number 3, a lighthouse. The light led him to play his second match among the greats at San Siro. After Feyenoord he sent a message to Chivu. Fate brought them together.