Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella will be monitored for his health after being taken off the pitch in the second half of yesterday’s win over AC Milan.
This was reported in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi last night decided to completely revamp his midfield.
The Nerazzurri coach fielded a fairly predictable trio in the centre of the pitch.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu took part in the derby alongside Italy international Barella.
Inzaghi decided to substitute both Mkhitaryan and Calhanoglu relatively early in the second half.
These substitutions had nothing to do with fitness or injury, but rather tactical changes as neither Mkhitaryan nor Calhanoglu were at their best as Milan outplayed Inter through the middle.
Furthermore, Calhanoglu had received a booking and Inzaghi often decides to make substitutions, especially in important matches where there is the risk of receiving a second yellow card.
Nicolò Barella undergoes fitness monitoring after substitution against AC Milan
Coach Inzaghi yesterday named midfielder Barella as the final member of his starting trio.
However, the Nerazzurri coach then decided to substitute the 27-year-old.
Former Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski came on for Barella and completed the trio along with Cristian Asllani and Davide Frattesi.
This was something of a surprise, with Inzaghi essentially using a “substitute” in the closing stages of a match as important as the derby.
However, after the match, the coach revealed that Barella had been suffering from a minor physical problem.
There was no clear indication that Barella needed to leave the pitch, nor was the former Cagliari man clearly injured.
However, having started both yesterday and the midweek win over Manchester City, fatigue may have been a concern.
According to Gazzetta, Inter will closely monitor Barella’s condition once the team resumes training.
