Inter's True Ace Reaches Long-Overdue Milestone: Why His Reduced Stats Reflect Greater Greatness

Inter Milan’s 3-0 triumph over Empoli has set them back on the winning path. The emotions from the wild 4-4 draw with Juventus may not have faded entirely, but a closer look at their recent run shows plenty of positives. With six victories from their last seven matches and a strong away record in Serie A—11 wins, three draws, and just one defeat in 15 away fixtures in 2024—Inter has demonstrated resilience. One of the brightest highlights was Davide Frattesi’s brace, which made him the highest-scoring Italian midfielder across Europe’s top five leagues this season (six goals for club and country).

More than his goals, what heartens Inter fans is Frattesi’s attitude. “I haven’t been a problem for the team, and I never will be,” he assured. Lautaro Martínez’s contribution also stood out, as the Argentine talisman ended his goal drought with a goal and an assist, surpassing the record as Inter's highest-scoring foreign player in club history. Coach Simone Inzaghi even admitted that he kept Lautaro on the pitch to help his captain break free of this mental block, knowing the team will need a fully firing Martínez for the upcoming “ultimate tests” against Arsenal and Napoli.

Though Frattesi was named Man of the Match for his crucial goals, some would argue Nicolò Barella deserved that honor more. His all-encompassing performance in midfield caught the eye of numerous data analysts. As a deep-lying midfielder, Barella put up staggering numbers: 141 touches, 112 passes, nine pinpoint long balls, seven successful duels out of eight, three key passes (two of which created golden opportunities), and three vital tackles. He even managed three successful dribbles from four attempts, a rare sight given that dribbling is not his strong suit. Barella covered the most ground, had the most touches, completed the most passes, and engaged in the most duels. It was a showcase of elite Serie A midfield play.

This match also marked a significant milestone for Barella. His assist to Lautaro brought his tally to 50 goal contributions in Serie A for Inter, comprising 16 goals and 34 assists. However, some feel this achievement came too late. Experts argue that Barella should have reached this milestone last season, but his attacking output had notably declined, delaying this accomplishment. Delving into this performance offers insight into why his statistical contributions have waned, even as his importance has grown.

Critics have claimed that Barella, who was explosive at 23 or 24, has seemingly regressed in his peak years at 26 or 27, proving his “limited ceiling.” At first glance, the numbers seem to back this up. In the 2020-21 Serie A season, Barella recorded three goals and seven assists. The following season, he improved to three goals and 11 assists. In 2022-23, he notched six goals and six assists, putting up an impressive 12 goals and 24 assists over three seasons—a brilliant return for a midfielder.

But then came a steep decline. Last season, Barella managed just two goals and three assists in 37 Serie A games. This season, in eight appearances, he has only one goal and one assist. By the numbers, his offensive impact has clearly diminished. Does this mean he is “aging badly,” as his critics claim? The answer is far more complex.

Examining Barella’s heat map from the Empoli match reveals the truth. Out of his 141 touches, 80% occurred in areas behind the halfway line. His passing map paints a similar picture: many of his 112 completed passes were deeper in the midfield. This data highlights a crucial change—Barella’s reduced attacking numbers are not due to a lack of effort or poor form. Rather, he has adopted a deeper role, prioritizing defensive coverage, ball recovery, and facilitating play from the back. While his old statistics were impressive, his current contributions are indispensable in different ways.

Barella's transformation has proven to be a timely blessing. During Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s injury absence, he has seamlessly filled in as a holding midfielder. In those games, Inter’s defense has remained steady and the team has secured crucial victories. This newfound adaptability also holds broader significance for Inter this season. Since earning their second star on the club badge, the Nerazzurri have adopted an even more aggressive playing style. Pushing high up the field leaves them vulnerable to defensive lapses, making a defensive-minded star like Barella more valuable than ever. Instead of focusing on personal glory, he has doubled down on protecting the back line and cleaning up counterattacks.

Few top-level players are willing to make such sacrifices. Many footballers are happy to be the unsung heroes when valued at €30-40 million but turn into prima donnas when their market worth climbs to €80 million, shirking defensive duties. Barella’s willingness to do the opposite is a rare quality. While most players crave the spotlight, Barella has chosen the difficult path: doing the dirty work for the team and enduring criticism when he fails to deliver eye-catching numbers. The captain’s armband means something to him, and it’s clear he takes his leadership responsibilities seriously.

Consider this: who wouldn’t want to score goals, grab headlines, and bask in the glory? Barella’s decision to prioritize the team’s needs over his statistics reflects both his love for Inter and his understanding of what it takes to be a true leader. He has sacrificed personal achievements to bring balance and stability to the midfield. The result is a player whose greatness lies not in the number of goals he scores but in his unwavering commitment to the club.

The Barella who racked up 36 attacking contributions in three seasons was indeed impressive. But the Barella of the last two years, who has embraced a deeper role and shed the need for individual accolades, is just as deserving of admiration. His evolution symbolizes what it means to be a complete player—one who understands that winning championships often requires stepping back, covering more ground, and being the unsung hero. The critics may continue to question his form, but those who understand the game know that Nicolò Barella's greatness lies in the sacrifices he makes for the good of Inter Milan.