Legendary former Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga feels that midfielder Nicolo Barella can be an extremely effective player when he is not caught up in showing his frustration to teammates and referees.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Zenga suggested that the 25-year-old’s performance and goal against Salernitana showed what he can do when he doesn’t become distracted and annoyed.
Barella put in a good shift with and without the ball against Salernitana, and he capped off his display with a great run and finish for the Nerazzurri’s second goal.
The former Cagliari hasn’t necessarily been playing at this level for all of the season so far.
Zenga argued that Barella has struggled when he has gotten too caught up in protestations.
For the former goalkeeper, the midfielder has to play without distraction and with a calm mentality to be at his best.
“I’ve already underlined a certain characteristic of Barella, he’s a player who attacks space in behind very well, and if he has consistency and retains his focus without losing attention and strength and protesting, he’s a devastating player,” Zenga argued.
Of the Nerazzurri’s performance as a whole against Salernitana, Zenga said that “I want to highlight two important things about this team.”
He elaborated, “On Lautaro’s goal, we see his ability to understand the moments in a match, to break away from the defensive line, and to finish with a strong, precise and angled shot despite three players from Salernitana closing him down.”
“This is something that can be a big advantage for him, he has an innate sense for goal even in difficult moments.”
“The usual things have been heard about his goal drought,” he continued of Martinez, “without considering that he also scored for his national team during the break.”
“These periods happen to all forwards,” he added, “but with Lautaro, it’s best to keep the faith in him.”
“And soon Romelu Lukaku will be back too,” Zenga added.
Of Inter coach Simone Inzaghi’s squad selections, he said that “I thought Asllani would play, considering that he was signed as a deputy to Marcelo Brozovic.”
“But looking closely at the characteristics of Barella, Calhanoglu, and Mkhitaryan, you can see how they can give balance, substance, experience, and charisma in the midfield.”
“At this moment Simone Inzaghi is right to insist on Calhanoglu and then give Asllani a chance in the last thirty minutes,” Zenga argued.
“The thing that defines a great coach is making the right choices in difficult moments, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
Of Inter wingback Federico Dimarco, Zenga said that “I always thought he was an excellent wingback.”
“Until the end of the transfer window, perhaps he could not have been used as wingback, because the squad lacked one more defender,” he noted.
“That was before Acerbi arrived though,” he continued.
“Let’s hope his injury problems are nothing,” Zenga said of Dimarco, “but Gosens looked good to me, and so they can cope with him being out for a bit.”
Zenga also spoke about goalkeeper Andre Onana, stating that “He made good saves, especially on Piatek whose shot was difficult given that it bounced in front of the keeper.”
“His presence gave the entire team enthusiasm,” Zenga said of the Cameroonian, “without taking anything away from Samir Handanovic.”
“I liked the calmness, security, and determination that he showed,” he said of Onana.
