There are concerns for Inter midfielder and Italy international Nicolò Barella, who limped off with a strange-looking knee injury against Udinese.
The incident occurred in the final minute of the 2-1 victory at the Dacia Arena in Udine this evening.
Barella suddenly fell to the ground and when he got back on his feet, his right knee was visibly swollen with an odd protuberance poking out from the kneecap.
Medical staff immediately told coach Simone Inzaghi to change the final substitution, which was supposed to be Robin Gosens for Ivan Perisic.
Instead, Barella was replaced by Matias Vecino.
The positive news is that Barella was able to walk off unaided and was also spotted after the final whistle throwing his jersey to the travelling fans.
Ivan Perisic’s early header broke the deadlock, followed by Lautaro Martinez on the rebound after his penalty hit the upright.
Ignacio Pussetto got one back late on to set up a tense finale, but Inter emerged 2-1 winners and retained the gap at the top of the table to two points.
#UdineseInter I Infortunio al ginocchio per Nicolò #Barella https://t.co/uLzyaEyuQB
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) May 1, 2022
That is what happens when you never give the poor guy a rest.
overrated anyway.
@sam what are you talking about, Barella has been our best player for the last 2 years. This season perhaps Perisic but if you’re referring to the national team as well, then all players have underperformed. @tony is right, he needed a rest a long time ago and we need to address the squad depth in the summer to get cover. All the deadwood like Vecino need to be moved on.
Just replace him with Davide Frattesi or Saša Lukić next season if this is a serious injury.
Barella is tenacious like a pitbull. Has been one of the Inter best performer over the last 2 years, Will walk it away.
all these knee injuries in serie A have to be investigated, is it the pitches conditions and/or the medical staff