Defender Alessandro Bastoni feels that it is vital for Inter Milan not to lose their defensive focus until the end of matches.
Speaking to InterTV ahead of this evening’s Champions League clash with Benfica, via FCInterNews, the 24-year-old gave his thoughts on how the Nerazzurri can keep tighter at the back than last season.
Last season, Inter had a bad habit of conceding goals at the most inconvenient times.
Whilst the Nerazzurri would often control possession and create a high number of chances in matches, they would allow chances that came against the run of play.
And these would result in goals.
Switch-offs in matches against teams like Spezia and Monza were enough to see Inter drop points. These were the kinds of matches where the Nerazzurri’s title challenge really died off.
Bastoni feels that he and his teammates have to avoid precisely those kinds of moments this time around.
Alessandro Bastoni Emphasizes Concentration For Inter Milan
Ahead of this evening’s match against Benfica, Bastoni said that “The team is doing well.”
“We’ve reviewed some of the video from last season’s match [against the same opposition],” he continued.
Bastoni made clear that “We will have to be very careful and play a very focused match.”
“They’re a great team in attack, and they’ve also added Di Maria,” he noted.
“Last season when we switched off a bit towards the end, they scored,” Bastoni observed.
Last season, the second leg of Inter’s quarterfinal tie against Benfica ended 3-3. That came after the Portuguese team grabbed a couple of goals very late on in the match.
“So it will be necessary for us to remain focused right until the end,” he added.
“We’ve only had a couple days to prepare after the match in Salerno,” Bastoni noted.
“But we know what we have to do and we’ve prepared well for it.”
