Barella at risk: Italian midfield under Montella's scrutiny

Latest Serie A news – The national team is missing, and badly so, the best Nicolò Barella, reports Corriere della Sera: the midfielder started in Roberto Mancini’s debut against Belgium but was left out of the 23‑man squad for the match against Turkey under Luciano Montella.

Frattesi and Fagioli in the spotlight

Frattesi has already scored four goals in the league, while Fagioli has improved his ball control and regained a place at the heart of the action, creating a perfect midfield that forces Barella to rethink his pace.

Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali, on loan at Bursa, has shown himself to be another playmaker, adding further options for the head coach.

Italy Azzurri ready for France and Belgium in November: schedule, camp

Yesterday, at Coverciano, training was opened to the press for only fifteen minutes; the three starters of Turkey plus Barella rotated in four, leaving open the possibility that Frattesi or Fagioli could snatch the spot.

Paris represents for Barella the chance to shake off the dust of a disappointing debut and regain the role, but the coach will have to decide how to shape the midfield triangle.

The next assignment of the national team, against France, will test Montella’s decision on the midfield and determine whether Barella will manage to regain his starting spot.