Inter Milan & Italy Star Compares Long Ball To Effort Vs Barcelona, Plays Down Comparisons To Real Madrid Legend | OneFootball

Inter Milan and Italy wingback Federico Dimarco is not too interested in comparisons to Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos.

The 27-year-old spoke to Italian broadcaster RAI Sport, via FCInterNews, after Italy’s 2-2 draw with Belgium in the Nations League. He also compared his long ball to set up Italy’s second goal to one against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Dimarco has grown into a key player for both Inter and Italy.

The wingback has grown a lot over the last few years.

The 2021-22 season was Dimarco’s first as a regular at Inter after a number of loan moves away.

Two seasons at Hellas Verona had seen the Italian international really find his feet in Serie A.

And then after one campaign as an understudy to Ivan Perisic at Inter, in 2022 Dimarco really took over the starting role on the left flank at the Nerazzurri.

It was right around that same time that Dimarco became a key player for Italy under Roberto Mancini.

And the Inter wingback has remained hugely important for the Azzurri under Luciano Spalletti.

Federico Dimarco Plays Down Roberto Carlos Comparisons

It is not hard to see what Dimarco offers for both Inter and Italy.

The 27-year-old’s quality of passing and crossing is nothing short of outstanding.

That was certainly on show in Italy’s draw with Belgium yesterday. Dimarco assisted Andrea Cambiaso for the Azzurri’s first goal, and then set up the second with an inch-perfect long ball.

Crossing and long balls are certainly a key facet of Dimarco’s game.

But the Italian international can also score goals, take set pieces, and engineer his team’s buildup play with his range of passing.

As for whether this means that he is the “new Roberto Carlos,” however, Dimarco rejected the suggestion. “No, I don’t like to make comparisons,” he said at the notion.

Meanwhile, Dimarco was asked if his long ball to set up Italy’s second goal was something he learned from Inter teammate Hakan Calhanoglu in training.

“No,” he replied. “Absolutely not.”

“If you remember, I also had a similar ball against Barcelona in the Champions League two seasons ago,” he noted.