Alessandro Bastoni clarified why he posted the now-infamous photo of him challenging for the ball with Barcelona’s Gavi during Inter’s 1-0 Champions League win on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Italian defender was subjected to serious abuse from some Blaugrana fans after posting a photo on Instagram of him and Gavi fighting for the ball, which was accompanied by the caption: ‘victory of heart and character.’ His partner Camilla Bresciani revealed on her Instagram story that various threats and abusive messages had been sent to her, threatening Bastoni.
Speaking to Sportmediaset, Bastoni clarified why he decided to post that photo on Instagram after Inter’s fiery victory against Barcelona.
“There was no motive to take it out on Gavi, the protagonist of that action, nor on the Barcelona world.”
Catalan newspaper Sport was particularly aggrieved after Bastoni’s post, highlighting their frustration toward the Inter defender for his decision.
“Bastoni puffed out his chest after a match in which the main protagonist was not him, but the man dressed differently from the 22 players.
“The player must have gone to the locker room annoyed because the first thing that came to his mind to post was a provocation to Gavi and all the fans when, among other things, Inter had not mathematically secured passage to the Round of 16.
“As they say, ‘when you spit it always falls on you’, and with the return match to be played we will see if this maxim will not come true again with Bastoni.”
Bresciani shared some of the abusive and threatening messages she received after the match, which included comments like “I’ll break your husband’s legs, I’m near your house, around here. I will shoot him, he will never play football again.”
Inter will face Barcelona at the Camp Noi on Wednesday October 12, a must-win game for both sides as they fight to join Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.