Italy Star Declares ‘Lautaro Is Right – Inter Milan Have B*lls’ – Adds ‘Conte Wants To Put Pressure On Us’ | OneFootball

Alessandro Bastoni agrees with Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez that Inter Milan have “b*lls” after their Champions League heroics against Bayern Munich.

The Italian international spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews. He also gave his thoughts on Antonio Conte.

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez recently commented that the Nerazzurri have “b*lls.”

The Argentine was in a confident mood after the Nerazzurri eliminated Bayern Munich from the Champions League.

Inter showed their quality in order to reach the semifinals of Europe’s top club competition.

However, just as important was Inter’s mentality.

Bastoni Agrees With Lautaro: “Inter Milan Have B*lls”

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

And Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni agrees with his captain.

“Yes, we have b*lls,” said the 26-year-old.

“But above all, we’re the team who believe in ourselves the most.”

“Beyond the perception of Inter outside the club, here inside the team we have a lot of confidence in ourselves,” Bastoni said.

“We know that, on an individual level, we may not be the best,” the defender admitted. “But that as a unit, we can cause problems for anyone.”

Bastoni then admitted that he “didn’t sleep much” after Inter’s second leg clash with Bayern. “Andrenaline was at a thousand,” he said.

“But those sleepless nights go by alright. I didn’t dream anything, but there wasn’t much to dream about – reality was beautiful on its own.”

“That’s what I focused on!” said the Inter defender.

Bastoni said that the match against Bayern was “among the top five most beautiful I’ve experienced at Inter.”

“Before the quarterfinals, everyone thought that Bayern going through was a given,” he argued.

“That they were even the favourites to win the whole competition.”

“Eliminating them means that we beat a great team.”

Bastoni “Never Doubted” Vs Bayern Munich

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 19: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale reacts during the Coppa Italia, Round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, asked if he ever had doubts during the match against Bayern, Alessandro Bastoni confidently replied “no.”

“I always thought we’d make it through,” he continued.

“It triggered the desire to show the world that we haven’t gotten this far by chance. We took to the pitch feeling that, and knowing that we’d make it to the next round.”

And Bastoni admitted that the experience of losing the Champions League final two years ago is an extra piece of motivation for Inter. “Because our careers aren’t infinite,” he said.

“And who knows how many more times we’ll play in a Champions League semifinal?”

The 26-year-old called the semfiinals against Barcelona “an opportunity that has to be seized.”

“We want to relive the emotions from Istanbul. But this time from the other side [that of the winners].”

Bastoni made clear that “we’ll do everything we can to make that happen.”

“And it’s not to be taken for granted that we’ve already gotten this far, in the final four.”

“It doesn’t happen all that often that an Italian team makes it this far,” Bastoni said. “But we’ve been working for four years, nonstop.”

Bastoni then admitted that “Twenty days to rest during the summer is certainly not a holiday.”

And to sum up the tie against Bayern “in a single image,” Bastoni said “I’d go back to the first leg.”

“The goal to make it 2-1 stays in my memory. When the inertia seemed to be all going their way.”

“From a psychological perspective, it sent a strong message,” argued Bastoni. “1-1 was not enough for us.”

“And I think Bayern understood that. And it made them suffer a bit.”

Bastoni Hails Inter’s “Quality & Technique”

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Monaco at Stadio San Siro on January 29, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Then, Bastoni gave his thoughts on what makes Inter special beyond the “b*lls” mentioned by captain Martinez.

“There’s great quality, and great technique,” the defender said.

“No one in recent seasons has ever pressed us the way that this Bayern did,” he continued. “But in both the first leg and the second, we always managed to get out of it very well.”

“With the ball. And then we caused problems with it, for an exceptional team.”

Bastoni stated that “there’s a desire for us to all to suffer together, including the strikers.”

“But there’s also the desire for us to play good football.”

As far as the idea of Inter being more versatile than the other remaining Champions League semifiinaliists in terms of style of play, Bastoni said “I agree with that.”

“And I’d broaden the discussion,” the Italian international continued. “On an individual level, we’re inferior to the other three semifinalists.”

“But as a team, we can beat them all.”

“But that also goes the other way. If we stop working on a collective level, we always risk collapsing.”

How To Stop Lamine Yamal: “Defend As A Team”

DORTMUND, GERMANY – APRIL 15: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona at BVB Stadion Dortmund on April 15, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Then, Bastoni gave his thoughts on how to best stop talismanic Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.

The Inter defender joked that “I don’t know because last time at the Euros it didn’t work out very well!”

Then, Bastoni got more serious. “Barcelona are a team who have a precise identity,” he said. “Maybe they’ll allow something, but when we play against them we have to defend as a team.”

“We’ve already faced great wingers. We’ve just come up against Sane and Bayern.”

“And also in the league phase, the wingers at Arsenal.”

Bastoni made clear that “we need 100% focus and 100% physical form” in order to defend against Yamal and Barcelona. “So that we can cause problem s for them.”

Bastoni also gave his thoughts on playing “out of position” for the Italian national team. He plays on the right of a pairing in a back four, rather than the left of a back three.

The Inter defender noted that “Calafiori also plays in the same position.”

“And he’s a very, very good player,” Bastoni praised the Arsenal defender.

“The idea Spalletti has is to put as much quality onto the pitch as possible. And then we adapt to his beliefs.”

“Riccardo is a great guy,” Bastoni continued to praise his Azzurri teammate. “In the Italy team, we’re a healthy group and there are no problems.”

Bastoni Recalls 2010 Champions League Tie Vs Barcelona: “Total Agony”

Inter Milan’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho (L) and Inter Milan’s president Massimo Moratti celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match Inter Milan against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 22, 2010. Inter Milan won the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu. Argentine striker Diego Milito scored both goals for Jose Mourinho’s team who completed a treble of trophies this season. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

And Bastoni also looked back on the last time that Inter Milan faced Barcelona in a Champions League final. That was in the 2009-10 season, when he was still just a child, and a Nerazzurri fan.

“I watched it at my house,” said the defender.

“I only remember the agony,” he recalled. “Total agony.”

As far as similarities between this Inter team and the team that won the Treble in 2010, Bastoni said “we always have the desire to suffer in common.”

ROME – MAY 05: Samuel Eto’o of Inter Milan celebrates after the Tim Cup final between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on May 5, 2010 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

“I remember Samuel Eto’o, when he would drop back to fill in at fullnback.”:

“Now it’s Lautaro and Thuram doing that job,” said Bastoni.

“We have the same ability to stay united even when things get difficult. To feel the pain when the time comes. To understand all the little matches within one match.”

Bastoni Hits Out At Critics: “There’s A Lot Of Jealousy In Italy”

FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 08: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy poses for a portrait during the Italy portrait session ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on June 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Bastoni also called continued criticism of his defensive ability “a very Italian opinion.”

Recently, former Inter and Italy forward Antonio Cassano doubled down on his criticism of Bastoni and teammate Nicolo Barella, for example.

“There’s a lot of jealousy here,” Bastoni said of the reasons for all the criticism. “Especially when we talk about ‘our’ players.”

“Then I watch a lot of matches in foreign leagues. And I notice a lot of the so-called ‘monsters’ at marking, make more mistakes than I do!”

Bastoni: “Criticisms Used To Be True, But I’ve Worked On It”

EMPOLI, ITALY – MARCH 12: Antonio Cassano of UC Sampdoria reacts during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 12, 2016 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Bastoni admitted that criticisms of his defensive solidity “could’ve been true two or three years ago.”

“When some of my shortcomings were more evident.”

“But I worked on it, and improved. Today, it no longer applies to me.”

Bastoni says he’s worked “on video.”

“Seeing what I’ve done wrong. But above all, working on my head.”

The 26-year-old called defensive frailties “a mental issue.”

“I often lost my focus. I couldn’t stay on top of things, totally determined for ninety minutes.”

Alessandro Bastoni reflected that “I just turned 26, and I still have room to grow.”

“But certainly, in my first few seasons at Inter, I wasn’t 100% ready in all points of view.”

“The quality that makes me ‘different’ was always the ability to create things in an attacking sense.”

“I don’t know what the defenders of the future will be like,” Bastoni then said. “But I’m proud to have been one of the first to start changing the position.”

“Having said that, I also know how to defense. Being close to tough customers like Skriniar, Acerbi, de Vrij, and Pavard has helped me.”

“But it’s my head that’s changed,” the Italian international emphasized the importance of mentality.

Bastoni: “I’ve Already Played 54 Matches This Season”

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale controls the ball during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 05, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Bastoni noted the importance of stamina and resilience in modern football. “Taking the national team into consideration, I’ve already played 54 matches this season,” he commented.

“Squad rotation is necessary. We all understand that, because playing a decisive match every three days is simply impossible.”

Bastoni noted that “Inzaghi doesn’t bow down to anyone with the rotations, and that mentality has brought us to where we are now.”

Bastoni Predicts “I’ll Reach My Top Level At Age Of 28-29”

The 26-year-old added, “I think that, in general, even physically I haven’t fully matured yet.”

“I’ll probably reach the top level at 28-29 years old,” he predicted.

Bastoni then noted that “the more that you play, the more amped up you get.”

“At the start of the season we would’ve signed to be in the semifinals in the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, and top of the league table,” he said.

“Of course, you feel tired. But it’s a great thing to choose, not to have to choose between competitions.”

“We said to each other at the start of the season: we want to win everything.”

Bastoni noted that as far as Inter’s Treble hopes “we could potentially finish second in all three competitions.”

“But a season at this level can’t be considered disappointing. Even just looking at teams that have spent so much money.”

“But without any trophies I have to admit that a bitter taste would remain,” Bastoni added.

Inter “Enthusiastic” Ahead Of Bologna Clash “But Have To Be Cautious”

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 16: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Bastoni then gave his thoughts ahead of Sunday’s huge Serie A match against Bologna.

“We’ll go there with enthusiasm,” he said. “But we also have to be very cautious.”

“Because they’re a very strong and physical team.”

Bastoni anticipated that “it will be tough, very tough.”

“We know that we have bad memories in Bologna,” Bastoni admitted. Inter lost a decisive match in the run-in away to the Rossoblu in their close Serie A title race with AC Milan in 2022.

“But apart from the past, they’ve shown up and down that they deserve to be in the top positions in the table.”

Bastoni: “I Owe A Lot To Conte – But He Wants To Put Pressure On Us”

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte looks on before the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on February 23, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Bastoni gave his thoughts on coach Antonio Conte. Once a very important coach for Bastoni at Inter, the 55-year-old is now in charge of their main title rivals Napoli.

“I owe a lot to coach Conte,” Bastoni said.

“But he plays his games, including the mind games.”

“Maybe he wants to hide his ambitions a bit,” the Inter defender said. “To put pressure on us.”

“But we take it all very calmly.”

Bastoni stated that “our strength is that we can look at what’s happening inside our own home.”

“Even when everyone else had been massacring us from the outside.”

“We want to win this Scudetto,” Bastoni made clear. “But we know that Napoli will fight us until the end, and that we can’t drop points along the way.”

Bastoni – “Inzaghi Has Grit & Contagious Enthusiasm”

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Bastoni gave his thoughts on Inter coach Simone Inzaghi. “He manages to be one of us, in every way,” the defender said of his coach.

“When you see him step onto the pitch, shouting, those are strong messages for us.”

“He shows that to us every day. Even in training.”

Bastoni said that Inzaghi “has a passion.”

“Grit, enthusiasm that’s contagious.”

“When you’re feeling a bit tired or upset, he always has the joke to put out there that calms things down,” Bastoni said of his coach.