Inter Milan Midfielder Shines For Italy Vs Estonia Despite Tactically Mismatched Role | OneFootball

Nicolo Barella shone for Italy in their World Cup qualifying win over Estonia, despite not playing in a very familiar role.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, hail the 28-year-old for performing well in a two-man midfield.

Italy beat Estonia yesterday in a World Cup qualifying win. They won by the emphatic scoreline of 5-0.

Gennaro Gattuso got his reign as Azzurri off to the best possible start with the victory.

Italy were not able to score in the first half, despite their complete dominance of possession.

However, in the second half the floodgates opened, with the Azzurri scoring five goals without reply.

Nicolo Barella Impresses In Unfamiliar Role For Italy Vs Estonia

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Nicolo Barella #23 of FC Internazionale Milano looks on prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Gattuso started three Inter players in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier.

As the Corrirere dello Sport notes, Nicolo Barella was paired with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali in a double pivot.

Playing in a two-man midfield is not really a familiar role for Barella.

The former Cagliari midfielder has almost exclusively played in a midfield trio for Inter. Furthermore, that is the system past Italy coaches have used as well.

Barella’s favourite position is on the right side of the trio. However, he put in an impressive display in holding midfield in Inter’s Serie A opener against Torino.

Against Estonia, however, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso went with a 4-4-2 system. This was to accommodate two strikers on the pitch.

That entailed Barella and Tonali having to cover a lot of ground.

Even in this system, though, the Corriere dello Sport view Barella’s performance as having been more than solid.