Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella is unfazed by the competition for a spot in the starting lineup.
Italy has had a mixed performance in their Nations League series, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Belgium, overwhelming Turkiye with a 4-1 victory in Bursa, and managing a 1-1 draw against France.
Barella did not participate in the squad for the match against Turkiye and saw limited action as a substitute in the game against France, logging just 108 minutes over the three matches.
During this time, he hasn’t contributed any goals or assists.
Nonetheless, he is anticipated to play for the Azzurri in Bologna on Monday.
Before the match, Barella commented to the media, “I may not be old, but with many games under my belt, I’ve learned to pay attention to my body.”
“Playing 70 matches a year affects my sharpness compared to when I was 23, yet according to the stats, I still cover considerable distance on the field.”
“What I need to improve for the national team is scoring more goals. That’s an area where I’m falling short.”
When asked about not starting against France, Barella simply noted, “This is a team sport, not tennis.”
Final preparations completed ahead of #ITATUR #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro https://t.co/eQMbqjsfYc
— Italy (@Azzurri_En) October 4, 2026
Barella also praised coach Roberto Mancini, under whom he won the European Championship in 2021.
“One of the most valuable aspects of our coach is that he creates a peaceful environment for us players. We faced tough times in the past few years, especially for me, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Alessandro Bastoni,” Barella shared.
“The coach urged us to reignite our enthusiasm, and I believe we’re achieving that, which is why we managed to get back on track in France and almost won.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights Barella’s resilience and determination, which can inspire fans and other players alike. His focus on teamwork reflects the essence of the sport, making moments like this pivotal for both the players’ morale and the collective identity of the Italian national team.
Source: www.soccernews.com
