Nicolo Barella has sung the praises of Inter boss Antonio Conte for helping him improve key aspects of his game.
Conte has overseen Barella’s extraordinary development during the past two seasons since the midfielder joined from Cagliari in the summer of 2019.
The 24-year-old was rewarded for his displays last year when he was included in the Italian Footballers’ Association’s Serie A Team of the Year for the 2019-20 season, along with Stefan de Vrij.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia today, Barella said: “Conte instilled a mentality and we tried to make it ours.
“Like I always say, he’s helped me improve tactically but also with my discipline, knowing how to pick my moments.
“It’s the part of my game which I’ve improved the most.”
Barella has played in all 37 of Inter’s matches in all competitions so far this season, having scored three goals and provided 10 assists.
He is due to join Roberto Mancini’s Italy squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers tomorrow, after Milan’s local health authority gave him, Alessandro Bastoni and Stefano Sensi permission to travel.
Italy will host Northern Ireland in their opening game on the road to Qatar 2022 on Thursday, before the Azzurri visit Bulgaria on Sunday and Lithuania on March 31.
