PHOTO
TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 10: Nicolo Barella of Italy scores the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League 2021 Third Place Match between Italy and Belgium at Juventus Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Nicolò Barella was the Azzurri’s MVP from Italy vs. Belgium – the UEFA Nations League third-place playoff, which ended 2-1 to Mancini’s boys.
The 24-year-old received 42.4% of the votes from fans on the FIGC website, beating Federico Chiesa (39.46%) and Gianluigi Donnarumma (6.62%).
It was the usual solid display from Barella, who was one of the real stand-out performers on the pitch. He topped off his performance with a splendid volley to hand the hosts the lead just after half time.
It was his seventh goal for Italy (and second in as many games against Belgium) and it was also the 100th goal that the Azzurri have scored in the Mancini era.