Nicolo Barella looked a shadow of himself for Inter Milan against Roma, potentially a worrying side as the team prepare to face Barcelona.

This is highlighted by Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb.

Nicolo Barella started for Inter Milan against Roma yesterday.

At this stage of the season, a key midfielder for the Nerazzurri is hardly going to rest in such an important match. Particularly with Henrikh Mkhitaryan absent through suspension.

But Barella’s presence did not give Inter the kind of control of midfield that it so often offers.

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Inter Milan Nicolo Barella
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The fact that Mkhitaryan was out meant that Davide Frattesi started for Inter in midfield.

The 25-year-old started on the right of the Nerazzurri’s midfield trio.

Therefore, Barella moved over to the left of midfield.

And that may well have played a role in Barella not quite managing to get into the match.

But just as important was the fact that the former Cagliari midfielder was clearly lacking some physical sharpness.

Roma looked to take the midfield battle to Inter and play at a high tempo. In particular, Manu Kone was unrelenting in his duel with the 28-year-old Italian international.

And it just became hard for Barella to cope.

If the problem was tiredness, as it appears to be, that is a big worry for Inter as they head into the first leg of a Champions League semifinal tie against Barcelona.

All season long Nicolo Barella has been one of Inter’s outstanding performers in Europe.

However, it could be very tough for him to maintain that level against Barcelona.