MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 5: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Serie A match between FC Inter and AS Roma on April 5, 2026 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Ruzzani/Getty Images)
Inter star Nicolo Barella has admitted he will have to change his style of play and take on a bigger leadership role in the dressing room ahead of the 2026-27 season, having been asked by Cristian Chivu to “act like a captain”.
Just a few days after the start of Inter’s pre-season, Barella published an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Nerazzurri won the domestic double in the 2025-26 season and are now preparing for their second season under Chivu.
Barella revealed what the Nerazzurri coach is looking for from his players in the first few days of pre-season.
“I have improved even more compared to last year. I want to pick up where I left off and play my best football,” said the Italian midfielder.
“This is an intense training camp. Some people cope well, others get a little tired and others need more time to find their perfect conditions.”
Barella added that Coach Chivu asked him to “help the team with what he has. Now that we don’t have Lauti (Lautaro Martinz), I spoke to him before the final and I need to make myself a little bit more visible and act like a captain. From the first day the coach arrived, he has always shown incredible trust in me and has treated me wonderfully.”
“I’m heading into the season trying to develop a slightly different style of play because my body reacts differently sometimes,” Barella added.
“I’m trying to play more conservatively and in a more ‘smart’ way in terms of self-management. I’m able to do that because of the style of play where the wing-backs help me move forward. I’m 29 now, not 23 like when I arrived.”
Barella is entering his eighth season at the Stadio Meazza, having joined Inter from Cagliari in 2019. What does it feel like to be a reference point for your team?
“More experienced players should always do that, but younger players can too,” Barella said.
“It’s a matter of hard work and putting yourself at the service of the team. Regardless. I don’t believe in having to be a reference point at all costs, but if someone wants to talk to me, I’m happy. I don’t know if ‘example’ is the right word, but it’s probably more of an inspiration for my career here.
“Since I came to Inter, first with Conte, then with Inzaghi and now with Chivu, the goal has always been to win,” Barella added.
“Then there were years when we were good, and there were years when we were not so good. This year is the same. The difference is that last season we won the league title and the Coppa Italia. And now, in order to do well, we need to win both of them again, also win the Supercoppa and then go further in the Champions League. It will be difficult. It will take a lot of energy, but that is our goal.”
The Nerazzurri were eliminated in the round of 32 of the Champions League last season. What are their goals for Europe in 2026-2027?
“I’ll answer in another word: A dream,” Barella replied.
“To be close twice and not be touched is something that never feels right to me. I always think about that, but as President Marotta said, we always know we have to go the extra mile compared to other teams who spend hundreds of millions of dollars in the transfer market.
“And we’ve done it with our play, our ideas and our desire to succeed. We’ve come close twice. I hope we get a third chance, and I hope it’s the right chance.”
Inter have brought back Aleksandar Stankovic from Club Brugge, while Petar Sučić is entering his second season at Inter after appearing at the World Cup with Croatia.
“When Petar touches the ball, you know soccer is in his blood,” Barella said.
“He has played an important role here, becoming a starter for the national team and has achieved great results in the World Cup and European Championships in recent years.
“Alek has always been a mature young man, but now he is even more mature,” Barella said of Stankovic.
“He has grown a lot since leaving his comfort zone at Inter. He has great qualities and I am sure he will help us again this season.”
The Italian midfielder revealed that he rewarded himself after winning a domestic double last season with a “good wine, a 1999 Henri Jayer”, and admitted that he hopes to finish his career at Inter: “Yes, it depends on how quickly I get old.”
“I never thought I would become the player with the most assists in Inter’s history, but it happened,” he concluded.
“I never thought about being vice-captain, but if you ask me if that’s what I wanted, I’d say yes. I don’t get hung up on it, like I want to be the player with the most appearances in this shirt.”
“When I arrived here, I just said to myself: I’m going to play for Inter, give everything and win everything. I could have done better, but I’m proud of the journey so far.”
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