Alessandro Bastoni feels nobody expected Inter to win the title, claims he doesn’t want to leave the club as he plays ‘for the passion’, and reveals Antonio Rudiger inspired him against Erling Haaland in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Bastoni released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport talking about the Nerazzurri’s seasons and their ambitions for the future.
The Nerazzurri secured a 2-1 win in Udine last week thanks to a late Davide Frattesi goal. Bastoni was injured, so he watched the match from home.
“My daughter was sleeping and my shouts woke her up,” he revealed.
“We knew how important the result was; we wanted to keep the distance from the second-placed; that’s how you explain the euphory.”
What Batoni said about Inter’s Scudetto
Bastoni already won the title with Antonio Conte in charge in 2021, does he see any difference in the current campaign?
“Everyone expected us to win with Conte, but not this time,” he noted.
“I don’t remember a pundit saying Inter were the favourite. Let me be clear: not even we knew which men, beyond footballers, would enter the dressing room. The title would be a success for the whole group.”
The Nerazzuri could even win the Serie A title against their city rivals Milan in less than two weeks.
“It is nice to win the derby regardless of everything,” noted the Italy international.
“The fact that it can determine the title winner is just a coincidence, we want [to win] the game for us, for the fans and everything.”
Bastoni explains two key differences between Spalletti and Mancini for Italy
Inter won the last five meetings with the Rossoneri. Isn’t it enough?
“Not all, not even if they were 50 or 100 and I’d say the same for any opponent.”
Is reaching 100 points a target for the Nerazzurri?
“Surely, but our priority is to get the second star. Reaching 100 points is not an obsession and it would not be a failure not to get it.”
What’s the secret behind Inter’s dominance in Serie A this season?
“It all starts with everyone’s availability,” said Bastoni.
“If I attack, Lautaro or Mkhitaryan go in defence. Everyone defends, and everyone attacks; there is a code everyone must respect. The coach wants mobility and you can see it on the pitch.”
Is Inter’s left wing, with Bastoni and Dimarco, the best in Europe?
“In terms of intensity, probably yes. I already know the movement he’ll make and how to give him the ball, we are in sync.”
Bastoni’s Inter future and Rudiger’s inspiration
Does Bastoni see himself at Inter for the next few years?
“At the moment yes,” he replied.
“Do you know why? Every time we play at San Siro, the team bus passes in front of a building with an old man who waves the Inter flag; he is always there, every time. These are things that remain inside. I play for this, for the emotions.”
The Italian would also love to become the team captain one day.
“I’d love it, but there can be more than a leader,” he said.
“That’s exactly what’s going on here. Lautaro is still young, but he always discusses off-the-pitch decisions with the most experienced players.”
Where can he improve?
“I always focus on the defensive phase and I think I’ve grown this year. I saw how Rudiger man-marked Haaland in the Champions League and I want to imitate him.”
Did it hurt to be eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16?
“Yeah, but it means we made some errors,” he insisted.
“The biggest one was to concede just a few minutes after taking the lead. But this is football and we can try again next year.”
What do Inter lack in the Champions League?
“It’s the experience in these sorts of matches. Before Conte, Inter hadn’t played in the Champions League round of 16 for ages. We are growing in this aspect too. We regret being eliminated by Atletico, and two years ago, being eliminated by Liverpool was almost seen as an accomplishment. This is already a big change.”
What’s Bastoni’s dream?
“[To win] The Champions League and the Club’s World Cup, which will be a fascinating competition.”