Inter have one of Europe’s best midfielders on their hands in Nicolo Barella, according to the Nerazzurri’s former coach Marcello Lippi.
Barella has scored three goals and provided 10 assists so far this season, starring again on Sunday as Antonio Conte’s side defeated Lazio 3-1 at San Siro.
The 24-year-old was recently described as one of Europe’s best midfielders by Claudio Marchisio and is reportedly in line to become Inter’s next captain after Samir Handanovic.
“Barella is extraordinary,” Lippi, who last coached the Chinese national team, explained in an interview with Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He is Italy’s best midfielder and therefore a top player in Europe as well.
“Barella presses, dribbles, takes part in the game with and without the ball, shoots, he’s everywhere.
“He is a driving force for both Conte and Roberto Mancini.
“They say he is a bit like Marco Tardelli, perhaps because he too was very strong, but to me he seems like a unique prototype of a world class midfielder.”
Lippi also touched upon Inter and Italian national team defender Alessandro Bastoni and tipped him to be part of the Azzurri defence of the future.
“Bastoni’s already in the Italy fold and I think he’ll stay there,” the former Juventus and Italy boss argued.
“He seems to me to have matured as a player, even if I don’t know him much.
“He has good feet and vision and he can be part of the Azzurri’s defence for the future.”
Lippi then went on to speak about Roberto Gagliardini, who is likely to start on the bench for Sunday’s derby against AC Milan.
“Gagliardini is reliable,” he added.
“He is a serious and good guy who can play in a two or three-man midfield, he is a complete midfielder.”
Lippi proceeded to discuss another Inter midfielder in Stefano Sensi, someone who has had a hard time with injuries in his spell with the club.
“It is too bad about the injuries, he was doing great things.
“He always creates chances, inserts himself and scores goals.
“If he can, Conte picks him.”
In conclusion Lippi, who led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, shared his thoughts on this weekend’s Milan derby at San Siro, which could be crucial in the Serie A title race.
“We must not forget about all the good things that AC Milan have done just because they lost to Spezia, but Inter are as efficient as Conte and have no other competitions to think about,” he concluded.
Inter can open up a four-point gap over their city rivals with a win in the Derby della Madonnina.
Nerazzurri legend Luis Suarez believes the derby could be decisive for this season’s title race, whereas Sandro Mazzola is not so certain.
Christian Panucci, meanwhile, is confident Inter have the psychological upper hand heading into this weekend’s big match.
