Italian journalist Matteo Marani has praised Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni after the Italian’s performance for the Azzurri in their 1-0 win against Group A rivals Wales on Sunday.

Speaking to Italian news outlet Sky Sport Italia, Marani gave a positive review of the 22-year-old’s qualities for both club and country.

Italy won the match to progress from their group with three wins from three, and did so having made eight changes to their previous outing, a 3-0 win against Sweden.

Italy’s group stage, and Sunday’s match in particular, highlighted the youthful nature of Roberto Mancini’s Italy squad, with Inter’s Bastoni only one impressive young player to have appeared.

Bastoni did not appear in either of the Azzurri’s first two matches, but was selected from the beginning against Wales.

The 22-year-old earned his place in the squad through the impressive form he showed as a mainstay in Antonio Conte’s Inter squad as the Nerazzurri won the Scudetto with the best defensive record in Serie A.

Marani said of Bastoni:

“Bastoni was a key player for Inter, and today is deservedly at the European Championship.”