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.