---
title: "Unsung Hero: Nicolo Barella was an integral defensive presence for Internazionale"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/unsung-hero-nicolo-barella-was-an-integral-defensive-presence-for-internazionale/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Lewis"
section: "Features"
published: "2019-10-25T19:55:36Z"
modified: "2019-10-25T19:55:36Z"
---

# Unsung Hero: Nicolo Barella was an integral defensive presence for Internazionale

**Internazionale put in a superb defensive performance on Wednesday that saw them keep a clean sheet against Borussia Dortmund.**

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Unsung-heros.png)

This came from a game in which they reduced the German outfit to just five shots, which is the lowest number they have conceded since [**Opta**](https://twitter.com/OptaPaolo/status/1187116340395552775) began recording this type of data.

Diego Godin, Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar received most of the accreditation for this when the club [**posted**](https://twitter.com/Inter_en/status/1187299138896969728) about it on Twitter, but Nicolo Barella played an integral part in the team’s defensive game from midfield.

Barella made a total of 6 tackles throughout the game, which was double the amount of any other player on the pitch, as per [**WhoScored**](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1426957/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2019-2020-Inter-Borussia-Dortmund).

He also made [**3 interceptions**](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1426957/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2019-2020-Inter-Borussia-Dortmund), which put him level with Axel Witsel, De Vrij and Marcelo Brozovic as having the most from any player in the match.

The 22-year-old was not only effective defensively though, as he made [**1 dribble**](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1426957/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2019-2020-Inter-Borussia-Dortmund), 1 key pass and completed 88% of all the passes that he completed.

This game saw the Italy international really step up from a defensive standpoint, as his league average for tackles and interceptions are [**1.5**](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/148684/Show/Nicol%C3%B2-Barella) and 0.4 respectively.

It was important that Inter won this game, as the result has taken them above Dortmund in the group and put them in [**second place**](https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=inter+champions+league+group&oq=inter+champions+league+group&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.5801j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=t;/m/03x6m;2;/m/0c1q0;st;fp;1;;).

Barella may not have got a goal or assist, or been part of the backline, but he played an integral role in ensuring Inter got the win.

\[freshpress-poll id=”255437″\]

***Inter fans, what did you make of Barella’s performance? Join the discussion by commenting below…***