Marko Arnautovic was UEFA’s Man of the Match against Atletico Madrid, but according to Italian sports papers, Nicolò Barella deserved the award.
Inter beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday thanks to a goal from Austria international Arnautovic in the second half.
The ex-Bologna striker had replaced the injured Marcus Thuram during the break and was named MOTM by UEFA after the game.
Arnautovic received decent ratings from Italian newspapers too, but according to Gazzetta, Corriere and Tuttosport, Barella was the best player on the pitch at San Siro last night.
Marko Arnautović 🥇#UCL pic.twitter.com/gnCsrVIW1O
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 20, 2024
Gazzetta journalist Davide Stoppini wrote that Barella ‘Was immediately above the rest, even when Inter were struggling’ and was ‘perfect in both phases.’
Arnautovic, on the other hand, missed at least three opportunities before scoring a winner that ‘helped Inter approach the quarter-finals.’
Barella received the highest ratings among Inter players from all Italian sports papers. Only Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi and Thuram were near the Italy international, while Hakan Calhanolgu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan uncommonly received the lowest ratings.
Inter Player Ratings v. Atletico Madrid
Gazzetta: Sommer 6; Pavard 7, DeVrij 6.5, Bastoni 7; Darmian 5.5 (69′ Dumfries 7), Barella 7.5, Calhanoglu 6.5, Mkhitaryan 5 (72′ Frattesi 7), Dimarco 6 (69′ Carlos Augusto 6); Lautaro 6 (88′ Sanchez N/A), Thuram 7 (46′ Arnautovic 6.5). Coach: Inzaghi 7
Corriere dello Sport: Sommer 6; Pavard 6.5, DeVrij 6.5, Bastoni 6.5; Darmian 6 (69′ Dumfries 6,5), Barella 7, Calhanoglu 5, Mkhitaryan 5.5 (72′ Frattesi 6), Dimarco 6 (69′ Carlos Augusto 6); Lautaro 6 (88′ Sanchez N/A), Thuram 6 (46′ Arnautovic 6). Coach: Inzaghi 7
Tuttosport: Sommer 6; Pavard 6.5, DeVrij 6.5, Bastoni 7; Darmian 5.5 (69′ Dumfries 6.5), Barella 7.5, Calhanoglu 5, Mkhitaryan 5.5 (72′ Frattesi), Dimarco 6 (69′ Carlos Augusto 6.5); Lautaro 5 (88′ Sanchez N/A), Thuram 6.5 (46′ Arnautovic 6). Coach: Inzaghi 7