Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella says he has no problem competing for a place in the starting XI, insisting international football is “a team sport, it’s not tennis”.
Barella missed Italy’s matchday squad for their trip to face Turkiye and was restricted to a substitute appearance in the 1-1 draw with France in Paris. He has played only 108 minutes across the Azzurri’s three Nations League matches, without scoring or providing an assist.
He is expected to return to the starting line-up when Italy play in Bologna on Monday.
Italy have endured an uneven beginning to their Nations League campaign. Roberto Mancini’s side were beaten 2-0 by Belgium before responding with a 4-1 victory over Turkiye in Bursa. They then secured a draw against France after recovering from a difficult position and came close to winning late on.
Asked about being left out of the starting side against France, Barella gave a brief response.
“This is a team sport, it’s not tennis,” he said.
The Inter midfielder also explained that he has learned to manage his physical condition after accumulating a large number of matches.
“I am not old, but I do have a lot of games in my legs and have had to learn how to listen to my body,” Barella told reporters before Monday’s game.
“Playing 70 games a year, you don’t have the same sharpness you did at age 23, but looking at the statistics, I am still one of those who covers the most ground.
“The only thing I’m lacking for the Nazionale is a few goals. That is where I’m lagging behind.”
Barella also praised Mancini, under whom he won the European Championship with Italy in 2021.
He said the manager had helped the players regain confidence after a difficult period, particularly Barella, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alessandro Bastoni.
“One of the best things about the coach is that he allows us players to feel a sense of peace. We had some very difficult and not positive experiences in recent years, especially when it comes to me, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alessandro Bastoni,” Barella said.
“The coach asked us to rediscover our enthusiasm, and I think we are doing that, because otherwise we wouldn’t have got back on track in France and then nearly won it at the end.”