Nicolò Barella is still so upset that Italy are not in Qatar that he hasn’t watched any World Cup game yet: ‘I still don’t understand what I feel.’
The Azzurri failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 after finishing runners-up to Switzerland in the qualification group and losing to North Macedonia in the play-offs semifinals.
They had won the Euros just eight months before the shocking loss to North Macedonia in Palermo in March 2022.
Barella experienced the joy of becoming the European champion and the disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup for the second time in a row. For this reason, he hasn’t watched any World Cup games yet.
“I still haven’t seen a match because I still don’t understand what I feel,” he told Gazzetta.
“I am not clear-headed in front of this massive disappointment. They say the pitch always does the talking, to me the result was unfair this time. This time it was our turn tomorrow, it may happen to somebody else. To me, whoever wins the Euros or Copa America should always play at the World Cup.”
The quarter-finals begin today. Will he change his stance and watch some of his teammates?
“Maybe I’ll watch something. If one of my teammates wins, I’ll be happy. I’d like it to be Marcelo Brozovic, so he can get revenge after losing a Final [against France at Russia 2018].”
During the first part of his interview with Gazzetta, Barella discussed Romelu Lukaku’s struggles for club and country this season and how the Nerazzurri solved their issues before the World Cup break.
I haven’t either.
“To me, whoever wins the Euros or Copa America should always play at the World Cup.”
No, Nicolò. The winners of the Euros and Copa América play each other in the Finalissima.
Which you also lost.
The lack of accountability in football these days is atrocious.
Agreed. Ridiculous that they want a free ride. Missing PK’s, 1v1’s, Drawing Bulgaria while Switzerland beat them convincingly. Drawing all but 1 match, post Euro, proved that the Euro win got to their heads.
Unforgiveable generation of Italian footballers who think missing this tournament is acceptable.