Nicolò Barella: Top Midfielder Worldwide
Inter and Albania player Kristjan Asllani is looking forward to the EURO 2024 opening game, and he believes his club teammate Nicolò Barella is among the best midfielders globally. The match will begin in Dortmund on Saturday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT). Asllani expressed his excitement about facing Italy and the challenge of being in a group with Spain and Croatia, which is considered one of the toughest in the tournament.
Despite the tough competition, Asllani is focused on the game and the need to set aside personal relationships once on the field. His Inter teammate Davide Frattesi, who scored the winning goal in the final warm-up game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, is someone to watch out for in the Albanian team. Asllani hopes Frattesi’s dangerous runs into the box won’t cause trouble for their side during the match.
Asllani is particularly impressed by Barella’s skills on the field, considering him as one of the top midfielders globally. However, there are concerns about Barella’s fitness due to a muscular issue, but Asllani remains hopeful that his teammate will be able to play. He believes that Italy has a strong squad overall, with or without Barella on the field, and emphasizes the importance of not approaching the game with fear.
Having spent most of his life in Italy, Asllani also shared his joy for his former club Empoli avoiding relegation on the final day of the season. He credits Empoli for his development as a player, having been with the club from a young age until he was 20 years old. Now 22, Asllani has 20 senior caps for Albania, with two goals and one assist to his name.
Albania prepared for EURO 2024 with convincing friendly wins over Liechtenstein (3-0) and Azerbaijan (3-1). As they gear up for the tournament, Asllani remains optimistic about their chances and looks forward to facing strong opponents like Italy. The midfielder is eager to see Barella on the pitch, not only for the competition but also as a sign of his teammate’s full recovery from injury. The team is determined to give their best performance and make an impact in the tournament.