In Focus: Creator-in-chief Barella can inspire Inter title charge

It was all change at Inter Milan during the summer — but Nicolo Barella continues to star at the San Siro.

Boss Antonio Conte left the club in May after securing a first Scudetto in 11 years and top scorer Romelu Lukaku soon followed suit.

But the goals have not dried up for the Serie A champions, who are bidding to close the gap at the top of the table and force their way into title contention once again.

Key to their chances of doing so will be the creative influence of Barella and the midfield maestro will be looking to work his magic once again in this evening’s clash with Napoli.

The gift of giving

Ahead of Matchday 13, no player in Italy’s top flight had contributed more assists than Barella’s five so far this term. 

And while Lukaku is now plying his trade with Chelsea, Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa have already scored 16 league goals in 31 appearances between them.

That is largely because of the excellent service they are receiving from 24-year-old Barella.

Only four of his Serie A contemporaries had created more goalscoring opportunities than the Italy international (22) ahead of this weekend, while he has conjured a league-high nine big chances for his team-mates.

So often Inter’s No23 is the conduit through which their attacks flow.

Lucky Barella

Inter led the way in the scoring charts after Matchday 12.

Simone Inzaghi has seen his side hit 29 goals, registering two or more on nine occasions.

Alexis Sanchez, Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu and Federico Dimarco have all contributed two assists apiece — but Barella deserves a large chunk of the credit for Inter's impressive performances in the final third.

The Euro 2020 winner has only found the net once himself, in September’s 6-1 demolition of Bologna.

But he has proven to be something of a lucky charm when getting on the scoresheet. Since arriving at the club two years ago, Inter have won seven and drawn one of the eight games he has netted in. 

Mucking in

Barella’s work does not stop when his side lose the ball.

No Inter player has won more tackles than the Sardinian’s 17, while his tackle win rate of 80.95% is also the highest of any squad member who has attempted more than one challenge. 

You cannot create without the ball and the 35-cap international seems determined to make sure Inter have as much of it as possible.

Running on empty?

Only goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has played more league minutes for the Nerazzurri than Barella this season.

The pass master has missed just 77 minutes of Serie A action across 12 games. On top of that, Barella has also played all but seven minutes of Inter’s four Champions League group fixtures — as well as starting six matches for Italy.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gazetta dello Sport remarked that Barella looked "out of gas" as the Azzurri drew 0-0 with Northern Ireland in their final World Cup qualifier on Monday night.

Inter will certainly hope that is not the case, although the odd rest would probably benefit club, country and player in the long run.

Here to stay

More reassuringly for Inter will be the fact Barella has just committed his future to the club.

Speaking after he signed a contract extension to stay at the San Siro until 2026, Inzaghi said: "It’s a nice thing. We made important signings and contract extensions [in the summer] that make us understand there is a project. 

"Lautaro [Martinez] and Barella’s extensions are important."

Barella recently made his 100th appearance for the club, reaching a century of games in the 2-0 win at Empoli last month.

If he continues to remain as integral as he has been, there will be plenty more milestones to come for the former Cagliari creator.