Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella says Italy are “not Barella’s personal team” as he accepts being left out of the starting line-up for two successive matches.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia before Italy’s UEFA Nations League matchday four home game against Turkey, Barella said the team’s collective needs must come before individual expectations.
“In recent years, I’ve started almost every match, especially crucial encounters,” he said. “But football is a team sport; it’s not like tennis where you play alone. What matters most is the entire team, not me personally. The Italian national team isn’t Barella’s personal team; it’s a group made up of all these talented players.”
Barella did not start against France, having also been named among the substitutes for the previous match. He said he would be ready to contribute whenever required.
“Everyone is making a great and important effort, especially during these two weeks of training, so it’s not a big deal,” he added. “I’m always ready to be called upon. As long as the team needs mewhether coming off the bench for 20, 30, or 15 minutesI’ll give my all. The final decision rests entirely with the head coach, and I’m prepared for any situation.”
Italy face an unusually demanding period, with four matches scheduled in 11 days. Barella acknowledged that the players had already accumulated physical and mental fatigue since the start of the league season, but said their responsibilities with the national team remained clear.
“This is a very long and exhausting training camp, and the fixture schedule is extremely demanding,” he said. “But these are the duties and missions we as national team members must fulfil. We’re always doing our best to prepare for every challenge in the best possible condition.”
He believes the match against France demonstrated the identity of the emerging Italy side, with the Turkey fixture providing another opportunity to develop it. Barella described the team as having “distinct characteristics and unique charisma”, as well as a strong desire to rediscover its former level.
He also said head coach Roberto Mancini had not changed in his approach to the players, despite the national team entering a new phase. Barella said the manager remained committed to close communication and wanted to restore passion and enthusiasm after recent disappointments.
However, Barella insisted that the players themselves must provide the determination needed to rebuild Italy’s fortunes.
The midfielder also reflected on the difficult period that followed Italy’s UEFA Euro 2020 success and two consecutive failures to qualify for the World Cup. Referring to comments by Gianluigi Donnarumma before the Belgium match, he agreed that those months had been particularly painful.
“When you begin your national team career with such a brilliant achievement as winning the European Championship, but then fail twice in a row to qualify for the World Cup, you feel deep remorse and anguish about the responsibility you bear,” Barella said.
He added that watching the World Cup at home on television had been difficult, but said Italy must now move forward and attempt to return to the level they believe they can reach.
