Midfielder Nicolo Barella is finally starting to really look like himself after a fairly subdued start to the season for Inter Milan.
Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, praise the 26-year-old’s recent performances.
If there was one disappointing aspect to the first couple seasons for Inter, it was Barella’s form.
Whilst the former Cagliari midfielder showed signs here and there of why he is so highly regarded, it was not really on a consistent basis.
This was not necessarily a big problem.
The form of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu early on in the season made sure that Inter could still look convincing in the midfield battle.
But the nagging question was whether the team could reach an even higher gear with Barella back to his best.
Nicolo Barella Looking Like Himself More & More For Inter
On Sunday evening, Inter and Barella appeared to answer that question.
It was the 26-year-old who proved to be the Nerazzurri’s star man in a statement 3-0 win over Napoli.
Barella got his first goal of the season for Inter’s second on the night.
And it was not just any goal. The Italian international danced through the Napoli defense before slotting coolly past Alex Meret for a solo goal that certainly ranks among his best.
And that goal was not just a bolt from the blue from Barella.
The midfielder had been building to that moment with a string of recent performances.
As the Corriere note, Barella had been the shining light for Italy in EURO 2026 qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine during the November international break.
Then, the Azzurri midfielder continued with this form after the break.
Barella played a key role in Inter’s equalizing goal against Juventus after the break.
And his form has now crested, with his goal against Napoli an emblem of the momentum he’s found.
Now Inter will hope that Barella keeps it up rather than slowing back down.
