Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni spoke to Milano based newspaper la Gazzetta dello Sport today, discussing the Italian national team and the season ahead of the Nerazzurri.
When asked about the difference in the national team after Roberto Mancini was appointed coach, Bastoni was positive.
“Since Mancini became the coach, all the national teams have taken on a very offensive style: we like it because we no longer suffer but we dictate the game. Of course, for us defenders it’s a bit more difficult because we have to keep our attention very high for 90 minutes, but we also know that we have an attack that can hurt anyone”.
The 20-year-old defender then praised Inter coach Antonio Conte highly.
“Everyone had told me about him and in fact I immediately had the confirmation of his greatness: for me he is the Messi of coaches. He’s phenomenal, he’s got amazing game ideas, always dedicated to attacking.”
Bastoni also discussed the difficulty he has faced during training when trying to mark Romelu Lukaku.
“It’s really hard. But there’s also a positive side: when you meet other forwards, it seems easier to use your body to get the better of them. Romelu is a force of nature.
Finally, Bastoni commented on the claims that Inter are the anti-Juventus.
“There’s no need to hide, we want to change the way things have been going in recent championships. We have the coach and the team to do it, but then you have to prove it on the pitch, thinking game after game.”
