Legendary former defender Fabio Cannavaro is a big fan of Nicolo Barella, but feels that Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco aren’t suited to a back four.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the 2006 World Cup winner gave his thoughts on some of the Inter Milan players currently in the Italian national team squad.
During the international break, new Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has been getting the feel of the squad at his disposal.
Several Inter players look ready to become regular fixtures under the former Nerazzurri, Napoli, and Roma coach.
Midfielder Barella is certainly one. The 26-year-old had already been a key man for the Azzurri under Roberto Mancini.
Barella had started in the final of EURO 2020, a tournament which Italy won.
And the Inter midfielder is a player whose well-rounded attributes, energy, and technical quality look as though they will be very useful for Spalletti as well.
But the question of how some other Nerazzurri players will fit in is a little more difficult.
And for his part, Cannavaro has not been altogether convinced by what he’s seen by a couple others in particular.
Cannavaro: Barella A Top Player, But Bastoni & Dimarco Not Ideal Fits For A Back Four
Speaking about the current Italy squad, Cannavaro said that “Unfortunately we have few top players.”
He noted that “There’s Barella, Tonali, Chiesa.”
“I would have also included Scamacca. In any case, he had the experience that he did in the Premier League.”
Cannavaro also noted of another Inter player that “I believe in Frattesi.”
“I think that very few national teams have a goalkeeper as good as Donnarumma,” he added. “And we have some good young players coming through.”
“However, we have some issues in defense, where the one great player is Di Lorenzo,” Cannavaro added.
He argued that “Bastoni and Dimarco struggle playing in a back four four.”
