Inter’s Nicolo Barella looks set to start Friday’s EURO 2020 quarter-final clash between Italy and Belgium on the bench, according to reports.
This from today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the 24-year-old will drop out of the starting eleven in favour of Atalanta midfielder Matteo Pessina.
In the Azzurri’s first four matches head coach Roberto Mancini has showed a will to use as many members of his squad as possible, and is not afraid to rotate players in key positions.
With Barella looking slightly low on energy and Pessina having impressed in his appearances at the tournament by scoring two goals so far, it is reported that Barella will be given a rest and Pessina trusted with a starting berth against Belgium.
Barella has impressed so far at the tournament but has appeared tired at times after being tasked with a high amount of work in a physically demanding role, and Pessina is an able replacement as Mancini also looks to balance the team with similar selection dilemmas concerning the likes of players like Federico Chiesa, Andrea Belotti, and Manuel Locatelli.
