Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni feels that defending against Man City will be much tougher than just stopping Erling Haaland.
Speaking to Brazilian broadcaster TNT Sports Brazil, via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri defender stressed that the Norwegian striker isn’t the only City player who he and his teammates will have to worry about in the Champions League final on Saturday.
There’s no doubt that Haaland will be a massive challenge for Inter.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a record-breaking first season in the Premier League. His goals have been crucial to City winning the English top flight as well as reaching the Champions League final.
However, City have also been an incredibly formidable side long before Haaland arrived.
Even without the former Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg striker, they’ve hardly lacked for goals.
The fact that City thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinal second leg without Haaland getting on the scoresheet makes this apparent.
Therefore, Inter will know that doing a good job of marking Haaland won’t be enough on Saturday. In Istanbul, the Nerazzurri must both stop Europe’s most lethal individual striker, and also perhaps its most well-oiled team.
Bastoni: Inter Milan Must Stop All Of Man City, Not Just Haaland
Inter’s entire back three will be called upon to keep City at bay. So will goalkeeper Andre Onana and all the other outfield players.
Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi will be hard at work trying to devise a gameplan that counters this at-times unstoppable City team.;
Asked how to stop Haaland, Bastoni admitted “That’s difficult. Many have asked themselves that questions, but few have actually managed to stop him.”
“However, it’s not Inter against Haaland. It’s Inter against Man City,” he continued.
“They have a lot of players who can make the difference.”
“But I have great faith in myself and in my teammates,” Bastoni added. “We can cause them problems.”
As for what a perfect final would look like for him, Bastoni joked “We win 1-0, and I score the match’s only goal.”
