Barella: ‘Many things didn’t work for Italy, we need to find ourselves’ | OneFootball

Nicolò Barella admits ‘many things didn’t work’ under Roberto Mancini and Luciano Spalletti, but he hopes Italy can ‘find ourselves again’ with Gennaro Gattuso.

This new Azzurri era begins on Friday in Bergamo against Estonia, followed by a match on neutral turf in Debrecen with Israel.

It is going to be the debut for the new coach, after the ill-fated and rather brief period under Spalletti, who was fired in June.

Barella ready for new Italy era

FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 08: Nicolo Barella of Italy poses for a portrait during the Italy portrait session ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on June 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

“The key is to find ourselves again, that is the most important thing,” Barella told Sky Sport Italia.

“We must rediscover our confidence, getting on the pitch and representing our country in the best way.”

Italy have struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup editions, interrupted only by the victory at EURO 2020.

Considering the repeated problems, what went wrong?

“Many things didn’t work, as we had difficulties towards the end with Mancini and in the Spalletti era. This is why finding ourselves is the most important thing to do today.

“Coach Gattuso gave us confidence and was reassuring, he helped us work, and we must repay him with our performances on the field.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 02: Nicolo Barella of Italy looks on during a Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on June 02, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Barella is one of the few constants expected ahead of this brand new Italy under Gattuso, where he is likely to share the midfield with Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali.

“It would be a pleasure to play with Sandro, or any of the other midfielders. We’ve got to find cohesion between us, that is the thing that always represented Italy. The coach has a lot of experience with that, he’s lifted a few trophies in his time, and is helping us rediscover the desire to be together.

“We need hunger, pride, and to also enjoy our football.”