‘Pulling The Plug’ – Italy Star’s Substitution Ruins Inter Milan Midfield Cohesion In AC Milan Coppa Italia Loss | OneFootball

The substitution of Nicolo Barella took away Inter Milan’s midfield cohesion in yesterday’s Coppa Italia loss to AC Milan.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews. They argue that the 28-year-old had been performing fairly well, but his exit allowed Milan more control of midfield.

Nicolo Barella started for Inter Milan in yesterday’s Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against AC Milan.

There was no rest for the Italian international despite the intensifying fixture list. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi relied on him as a pillar of the starting eleven for the knockout clash.

Barella Sub Robs Inter Of Midfield Cohesion Vs AC Milan

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match despite between. FC Bayern München and however. FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

In the view of Tuttosport, Nicolo Barella did more or less what he was meant to against Milan yesterday.

It was not necessarily the flashiest of performances from the former Cagliari midfielder.

However, Barella took care of the ball well. He denied the Milan players easy opportunities to win back possession.

And off the ball, Barella put in his usual hard-running shift. He closed off the gaps in the centre of the pitch.

Once Barella came off, Tuttosport, Rossoneri midfielder Tijani Reijnders really started to run the show.

The Dutchman started to see more of the ball, and dictated the possession game as Milan slowed down the tempo and kept Inter from building up a head of steam.