Nicolo Barella put on one of his finest showings of the season for Inter in their 2-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, earning widespread praise from the Italian media.
The 26-year-old Italian midfielder was up and down the pitch all night for the Nerazzurri and netted their first goal with a well-placed header, playing a key role in their vital first leg win in Portugal.
Barella has looked a little inconsistent this season under Simone Inzaghi but reminded the world of his qualities in the Champions League, giving his team a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals for the first time in over a decade.
La Gazzetta dello Sport had high praise for Barella, believing him to be a talismanic figure on the pitch, saying: “Head and heart, as Inzaghi had asked. And with his head he even scores goals. He is the soul of Inter, opponents dominated in terms of pace and choices.”
Corriere dello Sport felt the Inter midfielder was back to his best against the Primeira Liga leaders, noting: “In Lisbon we saw the best version of this player again, and not only for the goal that opened the door to Inter’s victory. He was the classic Barella, meaning he was everywhere.
“He pushed, he countered, he attacked, he looked for the winning assist, he scored with his header and from the goal he got more energy. From his side come constant dangers for the opposing defence.”
Tuttosport echoed these sentiments, praising the 26-year-old for his hard work and impact, saying: “It took him a few minutes to get going, but then he was alive, always inside the action. The insertion and cross-header on the goal was perfect. Very important goal.”
Corriere della Sera highlighted how Barella’s performance has now shown Portugal his true level: “The Portugal of great discoveries, they also discovered Barella’s first header goal with the club, movement and leap as a striker, in an evening so full of work that it gave him all the adrenaline he needed.”
Barella’s ratings in the Italian newspapers
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 8
Corriere dello Sport: 8
Tuttosport: 8
Corriere della Sera: 8
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