Barella Demands More Goals as Mancini Brings Peace to Italy Squad

FolioPitch.com – 06 October 2026 | Nicolò Barella has set his sights on adding more goals to his Italy repertoire, while crediting head coach Roberto Mancini with restoring a sense of calm and belief within the Azzurri camp. Speaking ahead of Italy’s Nations League clash with Turkiye in Bologna, the Inter midfielder admitted that while his overall game remains strong, his scoring output for the national team leaves room for improvement. “Barella I need more Italy goals Mancini helps players feel peace” was the theme of his press conference, as he opened up about his personal ambitions and the impact of the coach’s return.

The 29-year-old, who has been a mainstay for club and country, acknowledged the physical toll of a gruelling calendar. “I am not old, but I do have a lot of games in my legs and have had to learn how to listen to my body,” he said. “Playing 70 games a year, you don’t have the same sharpness you did at age 23, but looking at the statistics, I am still one of those who covers the most ground. The only thing I’m lacking for the Nazionale is a few goals, that is where I’m lagging behind.”

Barella’s comments come at a time when Italy are rebuilding under Mancini’s second spell in charge. After a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, the Azzurri responded with a resounding 4-1 victory over Turkiye in Bursa, followed by a creditable 1-1 draw away to France. Barella was left out of the trip to Turkiye and only appeared as a substitute in Paris, but he is expected to return to the starting XI on Monday. His inclusion in the pre-match press conference is a strong indication that Mancini views him as a key figure for the upcoming fixture.

The midfielder was quick to dismiss any suggestion of disappointment at being benched in Paris. “This is a team sport, it’s not tennis,” he remarked, emphasising the collective ethos that Mancini has fostered. That unity has been vital, especially for players like Barella, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and defender Alessandro Bastoni, who have endured difficult moments in recent years. “One of the best things about the coach is that he allows us players to feel a sense of peace,” Barella explained. “We had some very difficult and not positive experiences in recent years, especially when it comes to me, Gigio Donnarumma and Alessandro Bastoni. The coach asked us to rediscover our enthusiasm, and I think we are doing that, because otherwise we wouldn’t have got back on track in France and then nearly won it at the end.”

Bastoni, in particular, has shown remarkable resilience. After receiving a red card in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the defender has bounced back by scoring in each of his last two Italy appearances. That mental fortitude is exactly what Mancini has been trying to instil, and Barella believes the squad is now reaping the rewards. “Barella I need more Italy goals Mancini helps players feel peace” is not just a catchy phrase; it reflects a deeper truth about the current Italy setup, where players are encouraged to express themselves without fear.

Turning his attention to Monday’s opponents, Barella acknowledged the threat posed by Turkiye despite their poor start to the Nations League campaign. The Crescent-Stars have lost all three of their Group A matches, scoring just one goal and conceding eight. They will also be without key players Kenan Yildiz of Juventus and Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu, both sidelined through injury. “Hakan is a champion who I got to know first as an opponent, then as a teammate,” Barella said. “He is a leader, so naturally that is a big loss for them, but they have other players we need to be wary of too. Turkiye will be wounded by their recent results and certainly eager to send a signal.”

The match at the Stadio Dall’Ara kicks off at 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST) and represents another opportunity for Italy to build momentum. Barella’s desire to contribute more goals is part of a broader ambition to elevate his game and help the team succeed. “Barella I need more Italy goals Mancini helps players feel peace” resonates because it captures both his individual drive and the collective serenity that Mancini has brought back to the Azzurri.

This international break is the fourth of the season, a new calendar introduced by UEFA. Barella is ambivalent about the change. “I don’t know if it’s better or not. The positive thing is that we have more time to work and get to grips with the coach’s ideas, but they are long trips, we play every two days and get back late, so that has to be taken into account too,” he concluded.

As Italy prepare to face Turkiye, Barella’s focus is clear: score more goals, maintain the peace within the squad, and continue the positive trajectory under Mancini. The midfielder’s honesty about his own shortcomings and his appreciation for the coach’s man-management highlight why he remains an integral part of the national team. With the Azzurri seemingly on an upward curve, Barella’s quest for goals could be the next step in Italy’s revival. The stage is set in Bologna, and all eyes will be on Barella to see if he can deliver the goals that he craves.