Alessandro Bastoni admitted that ‘important players have left’ Inter but ‘has no doubts’ about their chances for the Scudetto next season.
The Nerazzurri have picked up a few key reinforcements so far this summer like David Frattesi, Marcus Thuram, Juan Cuadrado and Yann Aurel Bisseck, but have also lost a few familiar faces, like Andre Onana, Milan Skriniar and Marcelo Brozovic.
Inter are currently working to finalise a deal for Udinese’s Lazar Samardzic and are still looking to pick up a new centre forward before the end of the summer transfer window.
Speaking on page four of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Bastoni first discussing the changing nature of this Inter squad.
“It takes time, we are still at the beginning, but I have no doubts about this Inter. In fact, many interpreters are different, important players have left on and off the field. But we are here now.
“It’s up to us who are here to make those who have arrived and those who will arrive understand what it means to play for Inter and to stay in Milan.
“And then, specifically, we have to help the coach and make sure that our new teammates quickly understand our tried and tested way of playing.”
He touched on the integration of the new signings.
“We’re all satisfied, from what I’ve seen, people have arrived who want to work and learn. Time is necessary, but I have no doubt that they will all be up to the task.”
The 24-year-old spoke highly about new defender Bisseck.
“You’ve all seen him. He has great physical strength, he’s good, he has room and time to improve a lot. We are counting on him a lot.”
The Italian defender spoke about the Nerazzurri’s desire to fight for the Scudetto next season.
“We are at Inter, winning is a must. And so, we think about bringing home as many games as possible. On this we must focus our heads, the rest will come as a consequence.
“We’ll see in a few months’ time where we are, then everything will be clear. But if the mentality will be like this, I have no doubt that Inter will be in the race for the top.”
Bastoni reflected on Inter’s slow start last season.
“Certainly, we want to hit the ground running immediately. To tell the truth, we also wanted to last year, but something went wrong.”
He opened up about what went wrong.
“We made mistakes from a mental point of view. We sinned by presumption, probably derived from previous years.
“You can’t afford that in Serie A. But you’ll see that this year we won’t repeat that mistake.”
Finally, Bastoni discussed what Inter would be seen in the season opener with Monza.
“We’ll see the Inter that has taken the pitch from January onwards. With few exceptions, always compact, with the desire to all help each other, to fight for each other. We have an obligation to try to always be that team.”