Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has made clear that a yellow card was the reason for the Nicolo Barella substitution against Torino.
Speaking in a press conference after the match, as reported by FCInterNews, the coach also made clear that the midfielder was completely calm despite his removal from the pitch.
Midfielder Barella came off the pitch not long before the hour mark in this evening’s win over Torino.
The 26-year-old was removed along with wingback Federico Dimarco and defender Benjamin Pavard.
The likes of Davide Frattesi, Denzel Dumfries, and Carlos Augusto replaced the trio.
In the case of the changes in wide areas, the intention looked clear from Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi.
The former Lazio coach often goes to his bench to change the dynamic on the flanks. As Inter had started to look a bit flat from the end of the first half owards, the coach made use of his substitutions to add a new kind of threat and fresh legs.
But the substitution of Barella seemed a bit different.
The former Cagliari midfielder tends to be a key man in midfield for the Nerazzurri. And his early removal did seem like a bit of a surprise – even with a player of Frattesi’s quality in reserve.
But Barella had received a yellow card. This came for a late challenge on Torino defender Perr Schuurs which forced the Dutchman off with an injury.
Inter Coach Inzaghi: Barella Substitution Vs Torino Due To Yellow Card
Inter coach Inzaghi has gained a reputation for being a coach who doesn’t hesitate to remove players who are on a booking.
And that is exactly how it went with Barella against Torino.
“I liked what I saw from Barella tonight,” the 47-year-old said.
“I probably wouldn’t have taken him off without the booking,” the coach continued. “Which he didn’t deserve.”
“He seemed to me to be doing very well and very calm. And in fact he started today.”
“Given the card I decided to take him off instead of Mkhitaryan,” the Inter coach explained. “But he’s looked good to me in training over the past two days.”
As far as the adaptation of striker Marcus Thuram, Inzaghi said that “Let’s say I initially thought it might take more time.”
“But then I saw how he trained and I got a very positive feeling.”
“He’s a young guy who always tries to improve,” the coach said of Thuram.
“To understand things in every training session, in every situation, because let’s not forget that he used to play as a winger, and then last season he played as a striker for the first time.”
“I’m very satisfied with him as with the rest of the team,” the coach said of Thuram.
