Former Inter coach and former Nerazzurri and Juventus midfielder Marco Tardelli feels that it is important that the incident between Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku during Monday’s Serie A clash with Sampdoria not spill over off the pitch.
Speaking to Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, the former midfielder and coach stressed that it would be vital for the incident to be restricted to the pitch, and that the negative feelings not linger in the two players’ personal relationship.
After the match between Inter and Sampdoria, Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi was keen to stress that Lukaku and Barella were good friends, despite an incident that clearly saw the pair clash with one another.
The coach emphasized that, essentially, what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.
From Tardelli’s perspective as a former player and coach, it is indeed vital that this be the case.
The former Inter coach gave his perspective on the incident, stating that “I think that these things can happen when things aren’t going as the team wants them do.”
“These are situations that happen during a match,” he continued, “but the important thing is that everything be resolved on the pitch, because the good of the team has to come first.”
Of the reputation Barella has for sulking and negative body language, Tardelli said that “Without a doubt Nicolo is one of the best players at Inter and for the national team, I’m one of his biggest admirers, but I’m also of the view that he has to get over that habit.”
“When he’s doing well mentally and physically, he doesn’t behave that way because everything his going his way,” the former midfielder added.
Of the reaction from Lukaku, Tardelli said that “Clearly the Belgian isn’t having the best time at the moment, so I’d say it’s normal for him to have that kind of reaction when you take into account the context of his struggles on the pitch.”
“It’s important for the whole team to understand the reasons for these incidents, and to overcome them together as a team.”
