Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni is happy to accept criticisms of his performance and acknowledge areas where his game needs to improve.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai Sport after Italy defeated Belgium in the Nations League, the 22-year-old admitted that there is still some way to go before he completes his development given his young age.

Bastoni has broken out young at Inter, having become a regular in the Nerazzurri first team under Antonio Conte, and he has become a regular starter in the entire time since.

The 22-year-old’s displays with his club have earned him a regular place in the Italian national team squad of Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini, although he has not yet reached the point of being a fixture in the starting eleven.

Bastoni expressed his happiness to have gotten the better of Belgium in the third-place match in the Nations League, stating that “They are all important matches, we care and we are happy to have won. I experienced a European championship behind Chiellini and Bonucci who are two monsters. Seeing them every day gives me a great help.”

He also acknowledged that there are areas where his game needs to improve, and that he still makes errors at times, singling out a moment where he failed to cut out a cross leading to Spain’s opener when the Azzurri fell to defeat on Wednesday.

“Never had any problems [with criticism],” he stated. “I talk to the coach. At 22 I have to improve but I’m willing to do it. There is a mistake in the match, Spain are a great team.”