Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella has received a glowing review for the quality and impact of his performances with the Italian national team at Euro 2020 in the Italian media.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted the 24-year-old’s significance to Roberto Mancini’s tournament-winning team, singling out his game against Belgium for praise.
The Nerazzurri midfielder started all but one of the Azzurri’s EURO 2020 matches, starting on the bench against Wales in the final group stage game against Wales.
The midfielder, whose performances were among the highlights for a Scudetto-winning Nerazzurri team, carried over his impressive club form from the season into the international team, playing a key role in several of the Azzurri’s wins.
The Gazzetta gives Barella an overall grade of 7.5 for the tournament, with the impressive game and goal in the quarter-final clash with Belgium noted as his finest hour but his entire month considered to be solid.
The Gazzetta writes:
“He comes from a gruelling season like many others, and he played very well. And all of this after 5-6 summers without holidays, for different reasons. Against Belgium he managed to show the best version of himself, including a splendid goal. But Mancini never thought of leaving him out of the team.”
“The work of defensive cover, recovery and attacking from deep was too precious. If anything he was taken off due to exhaustion when he was substituted. The feeling is that the the team has not emphasized all his attacking qualities. Barella gave more than he received. In any case, protagonist and worthy champion.”
