The Inter midfielder was in doubt due to the muscle strain reported in recent days, how the national team changes with and without him
Europeans minus seven. The countdown for Italy’s debut in the event in Germany has begun: tomorrow there will be the last friendly match against Bosnia and next Saturday the first official match in Germany against Albania. After the definitive list of Spalletti’s 26 players only one doubt remained, linked to Barella’s condition. The Inter midfielder, the true leader of the Italian midfield, risked returning home due to muscle strain and there was great anticipation for the medical tests.
The results of Barella’s tests
The statement released today by the Football Federation does not remove all veils but authorizes optimism. This is the text: “The footballer Nicolò Barella underwent diagnostic check-up tests this morning which show the expected progress in his recovery from the muscle fatigue suffered in recent days. The player will then continue the pre-established work programmewith a view to being reinstated in the group in the next few days.”
Barella could return against Spain
Up until now, the player has always trained separately, carrying out differentiated work. “It worries us but not too much,” coach Luciano Spalletti has always said that he does not intend to give up Barella and that he has decided to wait for him in any case. It is unlikely that Barella will be in the Italy eleven that will face Albania on Saturday. In his place the coach could use Frattesi, formerly his alter-ego at Inter. the hope, however, is to see Barella on the pitch from the 1st minute on Thursday 20 June against Spain in the most delicate match of the group.
Barella recently became a father for the fourth time
To cheer up the player, who really doesn’t want to miss these European Championships, the good news of the birth of his fourth child arrived the other daythe first son after the three daughters Rebecca, Lavinia and Matilde (born in 2017, 2019 and 2021 respectively). His wife Federica Schievenin gave birth on Thursday 6 June shortly after 2pm and the announcement was made by the couple with a post on social media. Accompanying a shot where you can see the new arrival’s foot, the caption: “Welcome our love”, caption accompanied with little hearts.
In recent months Federica Schievenin said she was expecting two children, but the youngest didn’t make it: “During this trip the youngest left us. For us who had already experienced this atrocious pain, a few months ago, it was like reopening a wound. They have been difficult months, indeed a very difficult year. With your dad close everything was a little easier,” she wrote in the wag to announce her fourth pregnancy.
Gattuso’s precedent
The Nerazzurri would not be the first, however, to be brought to the European Championship not at 100% and take to the field during the course. The comparison could bring luck: the same had happened to Gattuso during the 2006 World Cup, and it didn’t end badly for Italy… “Rino wasn’t well and they even wanted to send him home: he wanted to tie himself to a chair and said ‘don’t send me away’ – said Buffon – He stayed , missed the first and then was decisive, coming on after De Rossi’s expulsion against the USA.”
