Nicholas Barella confirms himself as Inter’s technical and charismatic leader during the draw in Manchester against the hosts of City. This is what we at TMW said: “The most Guardiola-like of Inter’s players, not just today but also today. He demolishes City’s game and builds that of his team, he is on every ball in both phases of the game. A great effort. He has only one flaw: Inter just can’t do without him”.
Gazzetta dello Sport writes: “Everywhere, there is no area of the pitch not covered. Excellent in both phases, always lucid: it is clear why Guardiola wanted him”. Corriere dello Sport echoes: “The Nerazzurri face of a European-level performance. Dominant in terms of physical presence and ability to read all the actions in advance”. “He leads every transition with dynamism and lucidity: maturity is shown on nights like this”, is instead the opinion of Tuttosport. “He returns after the nose operation and the bench in Monza and Inter rediscovers itself. Surgical movements and great technique”, writes Corriere della Sera.
The Interista concludes: “Braiding the captain’s armband gives him a load of responsibility that translates into absolute determination. He waves his arms, comes back more often than not and rides beyond the halfway line with ferocity and superb technique. And he practically covers the globe. Total, indeed global.”
Nicolò Barella’s report cards
TMW – 7
Sports Gazette – 7.5
Sports Courier – 7.5
AllSport – 6.5
The Corriere della Sera – 7
The Interista – 7