Inter Milan Midfielder Nicolo Barella: “Can Still Feel San Siro Roar After My Benfica Goal”

Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella can still recall the moment he scored against Benfica at the San Siro.

Speaking to UEFA TV, via FCInterNews, the 26-year-old admitted that he can still feel the intense roar of the Nerazzurri fans in the stadium as he scored a vital goal in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg last month.

Inter went into their second leg match against Benfica very much the same way they do tomorrow’s derby against AC Milan.

The Nerazzurri knew that a 2-0 first leg advantage meant that they had one foot in the semifinal. However, a Benfica opener could’ve entirely changed the complexion of the match.

Accordingly, Inter’s approach was hardly one of simply hanging on and seeing out the match.

The Nerazzurri pushed for a goal in front of their fans. Inter knew that scoring early on would’ve given them a bigger cushion, and taken the wind out of Benfica’s sails.

Inter were eventually rewarded for their efforts.

It was midfielder Barella who broke through and found the back of the net. The former Cagliari man had a lot of work to do when he picked up the ball inside the penalty area.

However, Barella’s produced an exquisite chop and curled finish to put Inter 1-0 up on the night and 3-0 up on aggregate.

Barella Still Remembers San Siro Reaction After Scoring Vs Benfica

The 26-year-old’s goal naturally sent the San Siro into rapture.

The stadium could feel the significance of the strike, and reacted accordingly. And from Barella’s perspective, the San Siro’s joy was felt intensely.

The midfielder recounted of his goal that “Some actions you just make instinctively. And then they come off, partly by luck and partly skill.”

“And that was a bit of everything.”

“The first challenge could have been a little more unfortunate, and in that case we wouldn’t have scored. Then, there was a great bit of skill.”

“As far as luck, if the Benfica defender hadn’t slipped I likely couldn’t have gotten past him,” Barella looked back.

He attributed his goal to “Tenacity, speed, and technique.”

“When I score I always kiss the tattoo of my wife and daughters,” he noted. “I have so many memories contained in that tattoo.”

“I  can still feel the roar of the San Siro,” Barella admitted. “Thrills like this, only a beautiful stadium like the San Siro, a competition like the Champions League, wonderful Inter fans can give you.”