Legendary former Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga feels that Nicolo Barella did not manage to make his usual contribution to the team in yesterday’s Serie A draw with Napoli.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, Zenga highlighted the first half in particular as having been one which passed the midfielder by.

Inter were outclassed by Napoli for much of the first half yesterday evening, and there were a number of culprits, but Barella in particular seemed out of sorts compared to the player he has looked like in recent matches.

The 24-year-old acquitted himself well even in a damaging derby defeat to AC Milan, but against the Partenopei he looked off the pace and didn’t show his usual incisiveness and energy.

During the second half, he played his way into proceedings somewhat as the entire team grew in confidence, but he was not able to wrestle any control for the team during the first half midfield battle.

Zenga pointed out that “Barella was virtually invisible in the first half.”