Inter central midfielder Nicolo Barella was the latest subject of an interview from Inter’s Official Match Day programme and he spoke on a range of different topics.
He began the interview by speaking about how he got into football and reminisced about former Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic.
“My father has always watched all the matches on TV and I watched with him. I watched, stored what I saw and I learned,” he explained.
“I remember Stankovic’s goals. As a child I was impressed by his ability to shoot from range. He always fascinated and amazed me with his goals. Two are indelible in my mind. The goal in the derby from outside the box and the one against Schalke 04.”
The Italian proceeded to speak on one of his best qualities as a player, his stamina, which allows him to run pretty much non-stop all game.
“I get tired but I am lucky enough to have great endurance. Maybe others have more technique than me but I have this quality.”
Next he spoke on the celebration that followed his goal against Hellas Verona earlier on this season at San Siro.
“My celebration after the goal against Verona freed everything I feel when I am on the pitch. Hearing the stadium explode like it did was fantastic, that is one of the reasons why I go on the pitch.
“It was not easy to get this far. I am young, but the path was hard, with difficult moments. I happened to think I could not reach certain goals, instead I am here and I am happy.”
Barella then went on to discuss the relationship that he has with his teammates.
“The Inter team is really a close-knit group. The bond with my teammates is excellent, everyone rows in the same direction with the aim of doing better and better. The ones who give me the most advice are Handanovic and Borja Valero.”
In conclusion Barella spoke on his sporting idol, Los Angeles Lakers basketball star LeBron James.
“Many talk about him for the titles, for the finals, but I respect him above all as a person. His teammates see him as a brother and as a point of reference in the locker room.
“I would like to win a lot, but at the same time my goal is to leave good memories and a mark on my teammates.”
The 23-year-old, who has a contract with Inter until 2024, has made 33 appearances across all competitions to date this term, in which he has scored three goals and provided six assists for his teammates.
