Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella and defender Alessandro Bastoni put in solid shifts for Italy against Ukraine.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. Both Nerazzurri players get a score of 6/10 for their performances in the player ratings for the EURO 2024 qualifier.

Both of Barella and Bastoni started against Ukraine as they had done against North Macedonia last week.

The signs are clear – both of the pair will have key roles under new Italy coach Luciano Spalletti.

Against Ukraine, it was another Inter player – Davide Frattesi – who truly shone. The 23-year-old scored both of the Azzurri’s goals to cap off an excellent individual display.

Meanwhile, Nerazzurri wingback Federico Dimarco’s performance was a bit marred by the fact that his defensive error led to Ukraine’s goal.

Tuttosport give the pair scores of 8/10 and 5.5/10 for their displays respectively.

But for Barella and Bastoni, it was a little more “business as usual.”

Inter Milan Duo Barella & Bastoni Both Put In Solid Shifts For Italy Vs Ukraine

For midfielder Barella, yesterday’s match was not a platform to really sparkle as it was for Frattesi.

Rather, the former Cagliari midfielder was the player who put in the hard work to help keep Italy’s midfield together.

And he did just that. Even without having a truly stellar performance, Barella showed why he’ll be integral for Spalletti’s Italy with how he helped keep hold of the ball and compete physically in the centre of the pitch.

Meanwhile, Bastoni formed a central pairing with Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini. That could well be the first-choice partnership for the Azzurri for years to come.

And Bastoni did face a tough test in the form of Ukraine striker Artem Dobvyk.

But in the view of Tuttosport, it was one which the Inter defender largely passed.

Bastoni may, like Barella, not have had a match that will stand out compared to some of his better ones.

But nor did he have one that puts his place in the first-choice Italy eleven in any doubt.