Giacomo De Pieri – another exciting talent from Inter academy by Elia Ventura
Date of birth: 29/12/2006, 18 years old
Height: 174 cm
Preferred foot: Left
Contract until: –
1)Position: Winger
Role: Extra Midelder/ Wide Dribbler
2)Position: Attacking Midfielder
Role: Passing Progressor
Background
Giacomo De Pieri was born on December 29, 2006, in Lughignano, a small town in Treviso, Italy. His footballing journey began at the Liventina, a youth club affiliated with Inter Milan. From an early age, De Pieri displayed extraordinary talent, quickly catching the eye of scouts. At just 13 years old, Inter invited him to Milan to join their renowned youth academy, where he has been a standout performer since the 2021/2022 season.
De Pieri’s passion for football started at the age of 3 when he would spend hours kicking a ball on the concrete eld of his local parish in Casale sul Sile. His early idols included Neymar, whose videos he watched endlessly on YouTube, and now Phil Foden, a player he aspires to emulate by winning the Champions League and playing in a World Cup.
While at Liventina, his talent became undeniable during a pivotal winter afternoon training session. Roberto Samaden, then the coordinator of Inter’s youth system, was in attendance with Bruno Cover, Liventina’s legendary scout. As De Pieri impressed with his dribbling and creative play, Cover jokingly remarked, “He’s two times Del Piero,” a statement that has stayed with those who witnessed his rise.
De Pieri’s early years were marked by determination and familial support. His father, Massimo, was instrumental in ensuring he could attend training sessions and matches despite the distance between their home and the Liventina’s facilities. The club arranged transportation for De Pieri and other young players, a move that enabled him to flourish without logistical barriers.
By the age of 14, De Pieri began commuting to Inter’s training ground in Appiano Gentile. His confidence and readiness to embrace the challenge of moving to Milan set him apart.
He debuted for Inter’s youth teams with a bang, captaining his side in a derby against Milan and excelling as the top scorer for Inter U16. Over the years, he has consistently been a standout player, with 14 goals and nine assists in 24 matches for Inter U17.
De Pieri’s journey has also included national team honors, with call-ups to every level of the Italian youth system, often playing above his age group. In June 2023, he represented Italy U17 in the European Championship under coach Bernardo Corradi. Off the field, De Pieri dedicates his goals to his grandparents, who supported him during every step of his early career. Their unwavering belief in him has shaped his determination to succeed. When he steps onto the pitch at San Siro, he plans to honor their memory and everything they taught him about chasing his dreams. µ
Today, De Pieri is viewed as a potential future star for Inter’s senior team, having already been invited to train with the first team by coach Simone Inzaghi. His story, marked by humble beginnings and relentless ambition, continues to inspire those around him as he grows into one of Italy football’s most promising talents.
With the Ball
Ability in Tight Spaces:
Giacomo De Pieri thrives in congested areas, showcasing remarkable agility and balance. His ability to adjust his positioning and maintain control of the ball under intense pressure makes him an asset in narrow situations. His sharp movements and rapid turns allow him to easily evade defenders, enabling him to progress play effectively even in the most congested spaces.
1v1 Situations:
De Pieri is exceptional in 1v1 encounters, leveraging his quick feet, unpredictability, and dribbling ability. He can consistently beat defenders, opening up opportunities for his team. His air and confidence in such duels often shift the momentum in his favor.
Dribbling and Ball Control:
An elegant dribbler, De Pieri integrates nesse and control with pace and decisiveness. His ability to change direction seamlessly and manipulate the ball with both the outside of his left foot and the sole allows him to dominate in isolation and in buildup situations. He also excels at carrying the ball forward, driving at defenses, and creating space for teammates.
First Touch:
De Pieri’s first touch is consistently precise, allowing him to receive the ball cleanly and position himself for the next move. This skill is instrumental in breaking defensive lines and keeping the team’s attacking momentum intact.
Creativity and Vision:
Known for his inventive approach, De Pieri’s playstyle is marked by creativity and unpredictability. His ability to spot and execute unorthodox passes, often using the outside of his foot, is a defining trait. Whether it’s unlocking defenses with through balls, delivering incisive crosses, or initiating quick one-twos, De Pieri’s vision sets him apart.
Ball Retention:
Rarely dispossessed, De Pieri exhibits composure and intelligence in retaining possession, even in high-pressure areas. His balance and low center of gravity further aid him in shielding the ball effectively.
Weak Foot:
While his right foot is less utilized, De Pieri compensates for this limitation with intelligent positioning and decision-making. Nonetheless, improving his weaker foot could expand his versatility and enhance his unpredictability.
Positioning and Role:
De Pieri adapts fluidly between wide roles and central play in the half-spaces. His ability to cut inside creates opportunities for overlapping full-backs, while his presence in the center provides a creative outlet to link midfield and attack.
Without the Ball
Defensive Work Rate:
De Pieri is highly committed defensively, contributing significantly to his team’s pressing system. He tracks back diligently, often recovering possession or forcing errors from the opposition. His defensive contribution is a testament to his unselfish attitude and tactical discipline.
Aggressiveness and Smart Fouls:
His ability to anticipate opponents’ movements allows him to make well-timed challenges. When necessary, he disrupts play with tactical fouls, demonstrating a clever understanding of when and where to commit fouls to prevent counterattacks.
Box Presence:
De Pieri displays excellent timing and awareness when attacking the box. His late runs into the penalty area often catch defenders off guard, adding a layer of unpredictability to his team’s offense.
Pressing and Anticipation:
His defensive instincts enable him to press effectively, cutting off passing lanes and recovering possession. His anticipation skills often place him a step ahead of his opponents, allowing him to intercept passes and disrupt play.
Physical Evaluation
Frame and Build:
Although De Pieri is not physically imposing, his short-limbed frameworks are to his advantage, granting him superior balance and agility. His low center of gravity allows him to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces.
Agility and Coordination:
His quickness and coordination are standout physical traits, making him elusive in 1v1 situations. These attributes also enhance his effectiveness in transitions, both offensively and defensively.
Stamina and Endurance:
De Pieri maintains a high work rate throughout the game, showcasing excellent stamina. He consistently contributes to defensive and offensive phases, demonstrating his reliability over 90 minutes.
Mental Evaluation
Football IQ:
De Pieri’s intelligence on the pitch is evident in his decision-making and positioning. He has a keen understanding of when to accelerate play when to hold possession, and how to exploit spaces.
Unselsh Player:
A team player at heart, De Pieri prioritizes collective success over individual accolades. His willingness to sacrifice personal glory for the team’s benefit makes him an invaluable asset.
Composure Under Pressure:
De Pieri excels in maintaining his composure in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s holding the ball in tight spaces or making decisions in the final third, he remains calm and effective.
Creativity and Leadership:
While not a vocal leader, De Pieri leads through his actions on the pitch. His ability to inspire teammates with his creative play and work ethic underscores his value to the team.
Conclusion
Giacomo De Pieri is a technically gifted and tactically astute player capable of influencing games in various ways. Whether deployed as an advanced playmaker or winger, his creativity, ball control, and vision make him a standout performer and a joy to watch. On the defensive side, his aggressive attitude and work ethic add significant value. De Pieri’s intelligence, balance, and technical ability have been key to Inter Primavera’s success this season.
These characteristics and qualities make him a unique player in the Italian football landscape. It will be interesting to see whether Simone Inzaghi’s Inter will give him a chance in the first team or if he will begin his professional journey with a mid-table or smaller club, returning to Inter later in his career as a more complete player, or perhaps being sold for capital gains, following the path of players like Di Marco, Fabbian, Pio Esposito, Sebastiano Esposito, Oristanio, and many others