Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella is set to start for the Italian national team in their World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland this evening.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the 24-year-old is likely to be more fit than he had been when he played for the Azzurri against Switzerland on Thursday.
Barella had picked up a minor muscle problem which had forced him to come off in the second half of the derby against AC Milan before the break, but tests showed that it was not serious enough to keep him out of the Switzerland clash.
The 24-year-old’s display against Switzerland did not look up to his usual standard, however, and he was substituted during the second half of the match after looking to have still been affected by the fitness issue.
However, Italy head coach Roberto Mancini is expected to start the Nerazzurri midfielder alongside Chelsea’s Jorginho and AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali in midfield this evening, and has given an update that he expects him to be more fit for the clash.
