Antonio Cassano: “Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong Is Better Than Inter’s Nicolò Barella”

Former Inter striker Antonio Cassano believes that Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella is a top player but that he is behind the level of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

Speaking on Christian Vieri’s Twitch channel, as reported by FCInterNews, Cassano gave his impression of the frenetic match between the Nerazzurri and Atalanta over the weekend.

The 39-year-old felt that the action at the San Siro showed the best qualities of the Italian top flight and that both the Nerazzurri and La Dea played with attacking intend and showed their qualities and physical intensity in a hard-fought draw.

Cassano was full of praise for both teams following the back-and-forth encounter which he thought reflected the tactical ideas of the two managers and was a good advertisement for Serie A.

“Seeing it on TV it was like watching a Premier League match. A high level of quality and intensity. It will be the best match of the year,” he said.

Of the transition from Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri side to that of Simone Inzaghi he said, “I like this Inter because they have only the form of Conte, the style is different.”

“The substitutions yesterday with Dimarco for Bastoni made a difference,” he went on, “It is difficult to attack Atalanta, because they are usually the ones to attack you. Playing a game like this against Atalanta is something few can do.”

Cassano said, “For me Inter are the strongest in terms of their style of play and awareness, acquired in the previous four years. They feel strong and know they can win the Scudetto.”

Of under-fire goalkeeper Samir Handanovic he said, “The Nord has done well giving him a banner,” referncing a banner of support for the Slovenian by the Cruva Nord.

An of Federico Dimarco’s missed penalty he said, “If it’s Sanchez or Brozovic, I tell Dimarco to go back and defend. I would have had a shot, I would have expected more status. Sanchez needs to score, he goes and takes it.”

He said, “For me the Italian league is behind another four, in terms of its level. Barella is doing not,just well. but very well. He is a good player, he is growing though for me he is not at the level of Barcelona’s De Jong or Pedri.”