Milan, 4 Oct. (LaPresse) – “It’s been a long and gruelling training camp, with lots of matches, and there’s a bit of fatigue. These are commitments we must honour, and we must be at our best. The Italy that is emerging is a team with character, one that’s keen to find its feet again. We need to rediscover our enthusiasm.” So said Italy midfielder Niccolò Barella, speaking to Sky Sport on the eve of the Nations League match against Turkey. “Mancini is still the same as ever; he really enjoys working with the players. We need to clear our heads after the disappointments of recent years to reclaim what we want,” he added. “When you start your international career by winning a European Championship and then fail to qualify for the World Cup twice, you know the criticism will come and you have to find the strength to respond. That night and the months that followed were difficult, but in life and in football you always have to keep moving forward. We need to face the tough times head-on to get back to where we deserve to be,” Barella continued. Finally, on the subject of being on the bench in France, he said: “In recent years I’ve always been in the starting line-up, especially in important matches. But this is a team sport and Italy isn’t just Barella. I’m available; the manager makes the decisions and I’m ready for anything.”
National Team, Barella: “Italy is rediscovering its enthusiasm, I’m ready to play”
Milan, 4 Oct. (LaPresse) – “It’s been a long and gruelling training camp, with lots of matches, and there’s a bit of fatigue. These are commitments we must honour, and we must be at our best. The Italy that is emerging is a team with character, one that’s keen to find its feet again. We need to rediscover our enthusiasm.” So said Italy midfielder Niccolò Barella, speaking to Sky Sport on the eve of the Nations League match against Turkey. “Mancini is still the same as ever; he really enjoys working with the players. We need to clear our heads after the disappointments of recent years to reclaim what we want,” he added. “When you start your international career by winning a European Championship and then fail to qualify for the World Cup twice, you know the criticism will come and you have to find the strength to respond. That night and the months that followed were difficult, but in life and in football you always have to keep moving forward. We need to face the tough times head-on to get back to where we deserve to be,” Barella continued. Finally, on the subject of being on the bench in France, he said: “In recent years I’ve always been in the starting line-up, especially in important matches. But this is a team sport and Italy isn’t just Barella. I’m available; the manager makes the decisions and I’m ready for anything.”