“Besides the result and the decisions of the referee, that game showed who we are. For 65-70 minutes, we put Barcelona under pressure and they are a world class team. Of course, a victory here would have amplified everything even more. But we showed personality and that game will be an important for our future.”

In an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, Nicolo Barella started out with the match on Wednesday against Barcelona and he still has a lot of regrets that the team didn’t manage to go home with all three points. But overall, it was a great display shown by the boys who will build upon it going forward.

You are not dropping the Champions League for the league right?

“No, not at all. It’s a difficult group but we are Inter. I don’t know where but we’re going to get the points we need to go through.”

What did Conte say after the game?

“There was no need to talk much. We looked at each other and we said to ourselves that ‘we have another important match coming up, let’s think about that one.’”

Yeh, Juve are next.

“Very strong team, but so are we.”

So this match is on par then.

“Yes. Juve have more than just experience, the players know each other for longer period as a group. But the coach has asked us to clean up a few things and we are doing that in practice, which is why I say that we are on par compared to them. Juve won the league with a 21-point gap and we want to fill that gap, we will see in the end…”

Iuliano and Ronaldo, that happened when you were one year old. Did people tell you about that episode?

“Let’s just say that it was a strange case. I won’t add anymore to that.”

Is it true that Sarri was close to be your coach?

“Yes, Chelsea wanted me in January and negotiation was real and concrete. But I told Cagliari that because the team is going through difficult period, I’m going to stay. That’s how I made the decision.”

How many calls did Conte make to you?

“Well, he knew how to be very convincing right away and so it did not take more than one phone call.”

Ronaldo, how do you defend him?

“You have to ask Godin that who has sometimes managed to limit him in the past. Thank goodness that I don’t have to mark him. But if it happens, I’m not backing down.”

Where do Inter need to improve the most?

“We create a lot but materialize those chances little. It’s our next step.”

And what about you?

“I have more than 100 appearances in Serie A but only seven goals: I have to raise it up.”

How is Conte really different?

“He has a different attitude, a way of talking to you that gives you something new. I would kill for him and same goes to all of his players. And this makes the difference. Have you seen how Conte’s teams run? It’s not just because they are well prepared. It is the fruit of what he puts in your head.”

What was it like sharing the same tunnel with Messi?

“I saw very little of Ronaldo, El Fenomeno and so for me, Messi is the greatest of all time.”

Common thought: Barella receives too many cards.

“It is a label that I now carry onto the pitch: others do exact same tackles and they don’t receive anything.”

Stankovic is your model. What similarity do you have with the Serbian?

“We are similar in our attitude, as I never back down. But he had a shot and an ability to score goals that I envy.”

If I say the name of Matteoli…

“One of the people I owe the most to. When I had a good match, he whispered to me: ‘Look kid, you didn’t do anything.’”