Italian journalist Luigi Garlando believes that Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella has a rare contribution of attributes that makes him extremely valuable on the pitch.
Writing in his column for today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Garlando compared the Nerazzurri man to a centaur for his combination of physicality and playmaking technique in midfield.
Since his arrival from Cagliari in the summer of 2019, Barella has established himself as a key man at Inter, and has also earned a similar role for the Italian national team.
The 24-year-old provides energy and defensive workrate to the team in central areas, but he is also technically proficient on the ball and has also added goals and assists to his game.
Garlando praised the midfielder for bringing all of these qualities onto the pitch, and views it as a rare ability for a player to do all of these things at such a high level as Barella does.
“He is Inter’s most precious player,” Garlando writes, “running and tackling coexist with an attacking midfielder’s technique.”
He goes on, “A rare synthesis and, for this reason, highly sought after on the market. Barella also at Inter has the body of a centaur – half midfielder, half silky playmaker. Nobody in Serie A has delivered more assists, five. Even a goal. While waiting for Calhanoglu to wake up and carry out his duties as a playmaker, Nicolo works overtime.”
