Nicolo Barella believes Inter must aim to win the Coppa Italia this season ahead of today’s last 16 clash with Fiorentina.
Antonio Conte has left the former Cagliari midfielder on the bench for the match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, opting to rest him ahead of Sunday’s crunch match in Serie A against Juventus.
Inter will play city rivals AC Milan in the quarter-finals if they get past Cesare Prandelli’s side today.
“The cup is up for grabs, it is normal that we want to go all the way and try to win which is the most important thing,” Barella insisted in an interview with Inter’s official club broadcaster Inter TV, a short time before kick-off in Florence.
The Italy international, 23, who has been with Inter since the summer of 2019, then spoke on today’s opponents and admitted that it is not easy to play in Florence.
“Fiorentina are a strong team that are finding the right form.
“Playing at their ground is always difficult.
“Today will be a difficult and tough match, we will try to bring the result home as we do in every match.”
In conclusion he was asked if the potential for a Milan derby in the quarter-finals adds some extra incentive to do well today.
“Yes, but the most important stimulus is to win today.
“We don’t look at what’s next.
“Today is important for our journey and we will try to do the best.”
In a follow up interview with Rai Sport, Barella added: “Fiorentina are a physical team, but we are too.
“It will be a good battle.
“Eriksen is a great player, in this position he can do important things. We’ll see what happens. ”
Conte has made eight changes from the side that started last weekend’s draw at Roma, with only Samir Handanovic, Milan Skriniar and Lautaro Martinez keeping their places in the starting XI.
Perhaps the most notable thing about the line-up is the inclusion of out of favour midfielder Christian Eriksen in a new role with him to be deployed as a regista.
