By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu issued a firm and passionate defence of Alessandro Bastoni on Saturday, calling for fairness and perspective after the defender became the centre of intense criticism following Italy’s painful World Cup playoff exit in Bosnia.
Speaking ahead of Inter’s crucial Serie A clash with AS Roma, Chivu rejected the wave of scrutiny surrounding the 27-year-old centre-back, praising his professionalism, his courage under pressure, and his commitment to both club and country—even while recovering from injury.
Bastoni has been under heavy fire for weeks, beginning with Inter’s dramatic Valentine’s Day victory over Juventus. The heated match left him accused of exaggerating contact to provoke the dismissal of Pierre Kalulu—a decision the referee later admitted was erroneous. The incident triggered a storm of backlash from rival fans and sections of the Italian press, and Chivu suggested those wounds had not fully healed by the time Bastoni joined Italy for their do-or-die World Cup qualifying playoff.
The pressure intensified further during the international break. Bastoni’s clumsy last-man challenge midway through the first half left Italy reduced to 10 men, ultimately contributing to their 1–0 defeat and penalty-shootout elimination—marking the Azzurri’s third consecutive failure to reach a World Cup.
Chivu, however, refused to pile on.
“In football, the respect of your teammates is what matters most,” he said. “Your work ethic, your character—those are the things that define you. I know he’s disappointed, but he’s also grateful for the support from his national team and all of us here at Inter.”
Chivu highlighted Bastoni’s willingness to make himself available to Italy despite suffering an injury that had kept him out of Inter’s previous fixture.
“Spending 10 days on crutches and still stepping up in such a decisive match says everything about him,” the Inter coach added. “He put his country first. That means a lot to me.”
Chivu Accuses Media of Bias in Inter Coverage
The Inter boss did not hide his frustration with what he views as selective outrage in Italian football media. Asked about the fallout from the Juventus match, Chivu openly questioned why similar scrutiny does not arise when refereeing controversies go against Inter.
“When someone claims Inter are favoured, it becomes a public flogging,” Chivu said pointedly. “But when decisions go against us, suddenly nobody says anything. That’s a question you all should be answering.”
His comments added fuel to an already simmering debate in Italian football regarding inconsistent treatment of top clubs in media coverage—particularly Inter, who currently sit at the top of the Serie A table, six points ahead of rivals AC Milan.
Esposito Also Praised After Penalty Miss
Bastoni was not the only Inter player in the spotlight following Italy’s defeat. Pio Esposito, the 20-year-old forward, missed Italy’s opening penalty in the shootout. Instead of criticising the young striker, Chivu applauded his courage.
“What mattered to me was whether he stepped up because he wanted to,” Chivu said. “He told me yes. That’s enough. Penalties can be missed—but taking responsibility at such a young age is something I admire.”
Italy had five Inter players involved in the match against Bosnia, further deepening the club’s connection to the national team’s latest heartbreak. But Chivu’s primary focus remains on guiding Inter forward as the domestic campaign enters its decisive final stretch.
Inter Look Ahead to Roma Clash as Title Race Intensifies
With Inter firmly leading the Serie A standings and Milan preparing for a high-pressure trip to third-placed Napoli, every match carries weight for the Nerazzurri. Chivu insisted that unity, not blame, will be the foundation of Inter’s title push.
“This group has character,” he said. “We support each other in difficult moments, and we will keep doing so.”
As the media narrative swirls around Italy’s World Cup failure, Chivu’s message was clear: Inter stand behind their players—and will not allow outside noise to derail their season.
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