Barella: “With ten men, Inter found extra energy. Mkhitaryan is an example”
After the win over Shakhtar, the Nerazzurri midfielder praised the team’s reaction and the Armenian’s professionalism.
Nicolò Barella discussed Inter’s 1-0 victory over Shakhtar on October 21, 2026. The midfielder highlighted the group’s response during the most difficult phase of the match, when the Nerazzurri were forced to play with ten men. According to the Italian international, that moment showed the team’s ability to remain compact and protect the result.
Barella explained that Inter had to draw on extra mental and physical resources after going down to ten players. He also had significant praise for Henrikh Mkhitaryan: the Armenian, he stressed, improves with age just like wine and is a daily reference point through his attitude, experience and willingness to work. It was an important recognition for one of the dressing room’s leaders.
The European win followed the 3-1 victory at Bologna on October 17 and erased some of the impact of the 4-3 defeat to Club Brugge on October 13. Serie A now brings Fiorentina to the schedule: Inter and the Viola will meet on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 12:30.