Nicolo Barella has won plaudits as Inter Milan;s outstanding player in yesterday evening’s 3-0 Serie A win over Napoli.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, give the 26-year-old a score of 8/10 in the player ratings for the match.
The most eye-catching aspect of Barella’s performance yesterday was certainly his second half goal.
The Italian international had yet to score this season.
But yesterday, Barella not only found the back of the net – he did so in quite spectacular fashion.
The ex-Cagliari midfielder danced past several Napoli defenders, before keeping his composure to slot the ball past Partenopei keeper Alex Meret.
The goal was an important one for Inter, as well.
The Nerazzurri were already 1-0 up when Barella scored. But there was a sense that they were hanging on a bit as Napoli piled on the pressure.
Therefore Barella turned up big in a massively significant moment to take the wind out of Napoli sails.
Nicolo Barella Named MOTM In Inter Serie A Win Vs Napoli
Naturally Barella’s goal was the highlight reel moment.
But for the Gazzetta, it is only the tip of the iceberg for the 26-year-old’s performance yesterday evening at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
It would barely be an exaggeration to characterize Barella as having been “everywhere” on the pitch.
The Inter midfielder gave his team the legs and stamina to really get a foothold in a midfield battle against a Napoli trio of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Eljif Elmas who were relentless.
And there was no lack of quality or finesse to go with that energy and intensity.
Barella showed good composure in terms of ball retention. The 26-year-old was also deft and intelligent when knitting together Inter’s counterattacks.
Barella had already set up Hakan Calhanoglu’s long-range opening goal.
Then he went on to make it an even more memorable night with a brilliant goal of his own.
