Nicolò Barella maintains the 5-2 defeat to Germany was disappointing for Italy, but ‘shameful is a heavy word’ to describe the Nations League result.
The Azzurri were flattened 5-2 in Monchengladbach for the Nations League, a result that had been 5-0 until late goals from Willy Gnonto and Alessandro Bastoni.
“This is the start of a new era, so a few slip-ups can happen,” Barella told RAI Sport.
“It’s disappointing to have that result, but Germany are a very strong team and when you make a mistake, you are punished with goals. When you’re starting a new path, you are going to make errors.”
There were nine changes from the side that drew 0-0 with England, including suspended Sandro Tonali, with yet more debutants this evening including Giorgio Scalvini, Luiz Felipe Ramos and Gianluca Caprari.
Roberto Mancini also switched to three at the back for the second half.
“The coach tried many different things from the start of this Nations League. We’re disappointed tonight, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma was very irritated with the RAI Sport line of questioning straight after the final whistle and Barella wasn’t best pleased either when asked if the players felt ashamed of themselves.
“Shame is a heavy word. We’re disappointed for those who came to see us, it was a difficult game and we probably deserved to win earlier this month when it ended 1-1. Tonight we paid a heavy price for errors against a very strong team.”
Italy are now third in the Nations League group on five points, as Hungary have gone top on seven thanks to their shock 4-0 victory away to England.
Germany have six points and England only two.
The Nations League group phase is completed in September with Italy-England and Hungary-Italy.
Joshua Kimmich breaks the deadlock! 💥
Germany strike first against Italy in this clash of European football giants 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/qdmOoLRrnb
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
Well Barella how about taking some responsibility for your poor form for Italy in the last 12 months. You play like you expect to start every game. Sorry mate, but unless you pull your finger out, the midfielders that are in better form than you who should take your place. Don’t take the Azzurri shirt for granted.
Why shame? We lost a football match. This country has only ever succeeded on the pitch when humble, dedicated and not being show offs. We have literally gone into every tournament in my lifetime written off or never talked about as favourites. So we lost a football match. We aren’t going to get over it by pretending we are somehow worthy of something we aren’t. Is losing below us? No. It happens to the best. That’s just arrogance. The coach got tonight very wrong. What do we do to Barella? Put him in a plastic bag and beat him with sticks, for goodness sakes?
Barella is right. Losing to North Macedonia and missing world cup was shameful. This is just an over glorified friendly. Hoping more u21 players getting promoted senior team. Cambiaghi, okoli, rivella..
well either way its a 6-3 aggregate Germany comes out on top doublely good.
the nations league tho it seemed like a great idea at first is quickly getting boring mainly cuz top nations risk injurying star players, or disrupt unity or team mentality. sadly theis only way to see italy in a competion.
i thought winner of nations league got something like free entrance to euros ?
Build it and they will come!
Respect to the AZZURI
Respect to the ragazzi, respect!!
From a 5-1 defeat to England Germany came back to be ion the 2002 final.This is a process that we shall have to go through.Gli Azzurri shall become great again.
Forza Azzurri.