Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti has suggested that Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella was forced to perform a role for Italy that should not have been his, according to a report in the Italian media today.
Whilst writing his analysis of Italy’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Nations League on Wednesday night for Calciomercato.com, Mario Sconcerti explained what kept Nicolo Barella so quiet in the game.
The issue outlined is that Nicolo Barella was tasked with man-marking Sergio Busquets, which Mario Sconcerti believes was a job for Federico Bernardeschi instead.
“The big mistake of the match with Spain was Barella’s man-marking on Busquets. The playmaker starting the action is the typical marking of a center forward starting from farther away.
“It was Bernardeschi’s turn. He would not have limited him too much, but he would have kept Barella inside the game.”
This meant that Nicolo Barella was occupied with a task he was not capable of doing and made the entire midfield disjointed.
“So Barella soon disappeared in a task which was not his and he didn’t like it. The consequence was a void in the middle of the field where Verratti sailed alone.”
There was also a mention for Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni who many have criticised for his positioning for Spain’s opening goal.
“On goals with a cross from the left, first Bastoni and then Emerson were left alone against Ferran Torres.
“It was an unbalanced Italy, with too many players in different conditions and uncomfortable, from Di Lorenzo, to Emerson, to Verratti, to Bonucci himself.”
Italy lost the match 2-1 thanks to goals from Ferran Torres in the first half, as well as a red card for Leonardo Bonucci.
