Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is open to handing off his starting spot with Italy to Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti.
Italian national team manager Roberto Mancini has opted to go with a midfield consisting of Manuel Locatelli, Jorginho and Barella over the team’s opening two Euro 2020 fixtures.
Mancini may soon face a midfield dilemma when Marco Verratti fully recovers from his injury.
Verratti has not played in a single competitive fixture since PSG’s UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg encounter with Manchester City due to a right knee injury.
Barella would have no issue with Mancini starting Verratti over him when the PSG talent is fully cleared for in-game action.
In speaking following the win over Switzerland, Barella touched (via TuttoMercatoWeb) on why he would more than welcome Verratti replacing him in the side’s starting lineup, as this revolves around Italy’s team-first mentality.
“There’s nothing to say Locatelli will make way, it might be me,” Barella said. “I’ve always said the unity is everything in this group, it doesn’t matter who plays, we all bring the same spirit and give our contribution. There is no jealousy, no professional envy between us.”
Italy has already clinched a spot in the Euro 2020 knockout stage. So, if Verratti soon receives the green light to return to action, Mancini could very well provide the midfielder with minutes off the bench in the team’s upcoming group stage match against Wales in order to help him dust off any on-pitch rust.
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