Inter's Man of the Match Leads to Simeone's Embarrassment: From Humiliation Against Real Madrid to Dominating Atletico

In Inter Milan’s 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, UEFA and Inter’s official website named Marko Arnautović as the Man of the Match, highlighting the unique significance of the striker’s position—despite missing several opportunities, seizing one can make him the hero. However, esteemed pundits like Esteban Cambiasso and various Italian and Spanish media outlets, including Sky Italia, chose Nicolo Barella as the best player of the match. Gazzetta dello Sport awarded Barella the highest rating of 7.5, with the commentary that "Barella finally proved himself on the highest stage as one of the most valuable midfielders in football." Spanish media, on the other hand, criticized Atletico’s Rodrigo De Paul as the worst player on the pitch, remarking that he was completely outclassed by Barella.

A particular detail that trended in Italy before the match involved journalists asking Atletico’s coach Diego Simeone which Inter player he would “steal” if given the chance. Simeone’s choice was goalkeeper Yann Sommer. During the game, Barella was stepped on by an Atletico player and was in considerable pain. At one point, he paused to catch his breath instead of receiving a pass from a teammate. Simeone, seeing this, gesticulated frantically from the sidelines, signaling for Inter to substitute Barella. This led to a wave of mockery on Italian social media, with fans taunting Simeone: “He thinks he can conspire to get Inter’s strongest midfielder off the pitch, dream on,” and “He probably doesn’t know what kind of player Barella is—rolling in pain one moment, back on his feet and stealing the ball the next!”

In this match, Barella showcased his qualities as an “all-around midfielder” to the fullest. He was a tackling machine, making four successful tackles directly from the opponent's feet. He led the game with four key passes (the last pass before a shot), matching the total of Atletico’s starting midfield. With 97 touches and 75 passes (66 successful), including four long passes (three successful), Barella was a powerhouse in both offense and defense. He won seven of eight ground duels and even won two out of three aerial duels. Impressively, despite being one of the most combative players on the pitch and the “king of tackles,” Barella did not commit a single foul, relying purely on skill to dominate his opponents. In contrast, Atletico had to resort to fouls, and even dirty tricks, to contend with him.

This match demonstrated why Simeone’s desire for Barella to be substituted became a focal point of discussion among Italians. Since joining Inter, Barella’s seasonal stats have been impressive: in the 2019-20 season, he scored four goals and provided six assists across all competitions; in 2020-21, three goals and ten assists; in 2021-22, four goals and eleven assists; and last season, nine goals and nine assists. This season, despite having only two goals and three assists so far across Serie A, Champions League, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana, Barella’s role has evolved due to Inter’s tactical changes after a significant squad overhaul. His defensive responsibilities have increased, reducing his offensive contributions and proximity to the opposition’s goal.

However, this match against Atletico highlighted that Barella still had numerous opportunities to impact the game if his teammates had been more clinical. Regardless of his activity level, influence, or psychological presence on the pitch, Barella excelled, contributing significantly to Inter's 19 shots to Atletico's 7, with five on target compared to none for Atletico.

Post-match, Italian media pointed out that for Barella, excelling in the Champions League is a necessary milestone in his growth. While some Inter players, like Marcus Thuram and Federico Dimarco, perform better in European competitions than in the domestic league, others, including Barella, have historically shown the opposite trend. OPTA statistics reveal that Barella has scored 22 goals and provided 44 assists in Serie A, averaging a goal contribution every 309 minutes, which is exceptional for a midfielder. However, in the Champions League, Barella has only four goals and one assist in 35 matches, averaging a goal contribution every 539 minutes, a stark contrast to his domestic form.

This discrepancy is partly due to Barella’s initial lack of experience in high-stakes matches. Early in his Inter career, Barella’s immaturity was evident in the Champions League. In the 2020-21 group stage, he received a red card against Real Madrid, and his suspension in the knockout rounds against Liverpool, which sidelined him during Inter’s historic return to the knockout stage, was a source of personal shame. However, over the years, fans have witnessed Barella’s growth. Winning the European Championship with Italy significantly boosted his confidence and presence. Last season, his performances in the Champions League, including three goals against Barcelona and Benfica, helped Inter reach the final, further building his self-assurance.

This match against Atletico marked Inter’s first knockout game of the season, and Barella’s standout performance conveyed his personal redemption. Having been humiliated against Real Madrid years ago, he found a sense of vindication by dominating Real Madrid’s city rivals. Today, Barella is a transformed player. This change is not only due to his enhanced experience, confidence, and leadership but also because he has transitioned from being a supporting player to one of Inter’s leaders, especially after Lautaro Martínez became captain and Barella the vice-captain.

Barella’s performance in this match demonstrated that he is ready for greater responsibilities, proving his worth as one of the best midfielders in Europe. As Inter fans and the football world continue to recognize his talents, Barella’s journey from humiliation to dominance serves as a testament to his resilience and growth.