Lorenzo Insigne felt Italy ‘showed we were here to take control of the game’ in their victory over the Netherlands, but ‘there could certainly have been more goals.’
The Azzurri got the decisive goal just before half-time in Amsterdam with Nicolò Barella’s header, putting them top of their Nations League group.
Nicolò Barella gave Italy a deserved half-time lead with a rare header, as the Azzurri dominated the Netherlands in Amsterdam, but Nicolò Zaniolo went off injured.
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Nicolò Barella explains Italy were disjointed in their Nations League draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina because ‘we were all on different levels’ of fitness.
Stefano Sensi cancelled out the Edin Dzeko opener in last night’s 1-1 stalemate in Florence, while elsewhere in this group, the Netherlands beat Poland 1-0.
It’s been a decade since Inter fans witnessed a team in a European Final, but above all a side with such organisation, hunger and laser focus to thrash Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0, writes Richard Hall.
It really is a new era. Physically, tactically and mentally, everything went right for Inter as they cruised past Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in the Europa League semi-final. The Nerazzurri are the first Italian club to reach the Europa League Final since Parma in 1999, when it was still the UEFA Cup and a young Gigi Buffon was in goal, and they are determined to go on and win the competition.
Nicolò Barella thanks Antonio Conte for making him less ‘instinctive’ and sees the Europa League Final as the ‘start of a new era’ for Inter.
The midfielder was seemingly everywhere tonight, providing assists and winning back crucial balls in the 5-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk.
“We proved ourselves again and I am happy,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
Former Cagliari coach Massimo Rastelli says Nicolò Barella has the character to ‘make the difference’ and ‘never doubted’ that he would find his place at Inter.
Barella scored the opener when Inter beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 on Monday night and helped the Nerazzurri qualify for the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Antonio Conte’s Inter vision is taking shape in the new format and, if they can just learn to kill off games that they dominate, Richard Hall believes they are Europa League favourites.
To say Inter dominated a good Bayer Leverkusen, is no exaggeration. Antonio Conte’s men booked their place in the Europa League semi-finals with a display that would send a message to the remaining teams in the competition. The game was not perfect, but it was one of the best examples they have produced of what the coach is trying to achieve. The on-field partnerships, the work rate and the technical side of the game are allowing the Nerazzurri to finish the season in a domineering manner and potentially with a trophy.
Nicolò Barella believes Inter ‘proved to everyone that we’re a team and we’ve got balls’ after reaching the Europa League semi-final.
The former Cagliari midfielder scored the opener in this 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen, setting up a semi-final date on August 17 against Shakhtar Donetsk or FC Basel.
Romelu Lukaku shrugged off his Europa League record and named Nicolò Barella ‘man of the match’ after the 2-1 Europa League quarter-final win over Bayer Leverkusen.
They will face either Shakhtar Donetsk or FC Basel in the semi-final on August 17.
The Nerazzurri largely dominated the match, but only won 2-1 eventually thanks to Barella and Romelu Lukaku goals, as Kai Havertz pulled one back.
Inter aim to have Romelu Lukaku back against Roma together with Nicoló Barella, who has reportedly recovered and can start on Sunday.
Check out the betting preview for Inter v Fiorentina on Eurotips.co.uk.
Sky Sport Italia reports that Lukaku carried out an intensive session of personalised work at the Appiano Gentile and the Nerazzurri will know tomorrow if the Belgian can take part against Roma.
