Inter do not have the same bite in midfield without Nicolo Barella, a report in the Italian media argued after yesterday’s win over Cagliari.
Antonio Conte packed his midfield with quality against the Rossoblu, opting to play Stefano Sensi alongside Marcelo Brozovic and Christian Eriksen.
As per Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition, all three midfielders played well but it took Inter a while to adjust to life without Barella, who was suspended for the match against his former club.
The Nerazzurri were less dynamic in midfield without the 24-year-old and had less runners supporting Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, the report explained.
Cagliari’s defensive work in the first half was simplified by Inter’s ‘slow’ build-up play, with Lukaku starved of service and Sanchez too error-prone to make an impact.
Barella’s absence also meant Inter did not press as aggressively as they sometimes do, enabling Leonardo Semplici’s side to enjoy 47% possession before half-time.
Former Inter defender Diego Godin was praised by the Milan-based paper for his performance at the back, along with Cagliari’s stand-in goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Leonardo Pavoletti up front.
Barella had featured in every match for Inter so far this season before missing yesterday’s game.
