Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni believes Manchester City are a ‘scary’ team but says he is calm ahead of the Champions League final. The Italy international was speaking with DAZN’s 1-vs-1 series and talked about the Nerazzurri’s transformation in the second part of the season, the player’s he hates facing in training and why Giorgio Scalvini could soon be his teammate in the national team, and at Inter:
“We did practically nothing to celebrate because it was yesterday and today we are already here in Appiano. I know it shouldn’t but my mind already looks forward a little to the final in Istanbul.
“Onana? He was happy, for him it was the first Coppa Italia. I hope to keep the same rhythm of trophies: European Championships, Italian Super Cup, Italian Super Cup and Italian Cup. Barella and I have the same trophies in our trophy cabinet.”
“I was lucky or unlucky to go to the Europa League final in my first year here. They all say you have to be used to playing them, and there I realized that it is so. Thanks to us and all the staff, in these four years we have played and won a lot. We hope to continue with these averages.”
“Cup specialist Inzaghi? He transmits tranquility to you, normally one expects agitation or anxiety. Instead, he transmits you serenity for these matches. In the difficult moment, the important thing is to have a solid group, who are not afraid to tell each other things and eventually clash to resolve things. We sat down and tried to figure it out. Greatness is in doing that and overcoming them.”
“The team? In the beginning we were a little more swaggering. We forgot a little bit about the real roles of a defender. We focused more on ‘first we defend and then we build and attack.’ I think it’s about balance.”
“Before Benfica I said it was a football match to be lived as such. The same for the Euroderby (against Milan). We are going to go about our business. We were good at keeping a clear head and attacking the first leg, I think that was the key to success. Everyone lives differently. I tried during the week to think about it as little as possible, even though we were talking about it in Milan after the quarters.”
“The important thing was to stay as clear-headed as possible. We are well, it is a moment of confidence. The derby was fundamental because it recharged us. It was fundamental after 57 games to win because it gives you strength, energy, it makes you want to play again. We go to Istanbul with great confidence.”
“Anxiety? No, thinking about it but my strength has always been to be calm. We live for football but then there’s real life with my partner, the child, my parents. Clearly it is a key game and we all dream of playing it. We are lucky enough to do so, we also need the lucidity to enjoy it.”
“Whoever you face in City is scary. I am a great admirer of Guardiola so I watch them often. They have few weaknesses. They are a scary team, I can’t give a ranking on the best. Doubling up? You will probably also need the coach to help…”
“The striker I suffer against the most in training? Lautaro. In Serie A? Dzeko at Roma, because he looked like he was playing in the park with children.
“What was worse, Dimarco’s injuring my rib or my partner and daughter angry? Camilla and Azzurra angry, they last longer. Who do I look at for improvement? Dias or Akanji, I watch City a lot as I said. A young man I like? Scalvini. I saw that he said he likes me, who knows if before long we won’t be teammates both here and in the national team. Gerry or Basto? Both, but I choose Gerry. I even have him tattooed.”
