Inter have reached defensive perfection with Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni, according to the Nerazzurri’s legendary former defender Beppe Bergomi.
Antonio Conte’s side are sitting six points clear of AC Milan at the top of the table (with a game in hand), as Inter prepare to return to action at Bologna on Saturday.
The Nerazzurri’s eight-game winning run is down in a large part to their excellent solidity at the back, which has improved hugely since the start of the campaign.
Asked by TMW Radio on Monday if the old-school defender was a dying breed in football, Bergomi said: “We need to keep thinking that you must focus on being a defender first and foremost.
“If you then are good in possession and can play the ball then that’s even better, but I’m still in favour of players like Giorgio Chiellini and Francesco Acerbi.
“I like the players like Bastoni too though!
“He knows how to mark players, he’s young and he can make great improvements.
“A defensive line of Skriniar, De Vrij and Bastoni is perfect – if you can then find someone who’s a bit faster for a back three then even better.”
Bergomi also used Bastoni as an example of how more coaches in Serie A should give their youngsters a chance to nail down a place in the first team.
“You’re not young anymore when you’re 21 or 22, that’s when you’re 18 or 19,” he added.
“We have players in Italy with talent, we just need the courage to give them their debuts and let them play.
“Bastoni is doing well at Inter.
“We always wait a bit longer compared to others to make the most of these young players.”
Bastoni was not expected to be a key part of Conte’s side when Conte joined the club in 2019, but he saw something special in the now 21-year-old and put him straight in the team with great results.
