Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni seeks a third triumph in the Italian Super League.
The Nerazzurri enter the first-ever expanded version of the competition as the winners of last season’s Coppa Italia.
Simone Inzaghi’s men will play Lazio in the semi-final on Friday in Riyadh against Lazio (the Serie A runners-up).
Inter will be looking to overcome the Italian capital side and book their spot in Monday’s final against Napoli. The Partenopei reached the finale by pummeling Fiorentina with three unanswered goals on Thursday.
Despite winning the last two editions of the competition, Inter still have an appetite for silverware, insists Bastoni.
“We come to this edition after two consecutive triumphs and we really want to defend our trophy,” said the Italian defender in his interview with the club’s social channels via FcInterNews.
“Winning is always great and important and then we want to be the first to win in this new formula.”
The 24-year-old recalled last season’s Super Cup triumph over crosstown rivals AC Milan by three goals to nil.
“Last year was beautiful. We experienced extraordinary emotions. In addition to winning a trophy, we also prevailed in a Derby.”
“This is a compact team full of awareness. It’s a great group with a great desire to win.
“We know that we are only halfway there but we want to continue on the same path to achieve great goals.”
Alessandro Bastoni Considers Inter Milan A Family
Finally, Bastoni described Inter as his third family, remembering how everyone made him feel at home since day one.
“Inter is my family, one that adds to my original one and the one I’m currently establishing with my wife. In this case, Inter is third!
“When I arrived in Milano, I still didn’t have many certainties about my future. But I received a great welcome and played my cards to the fullest.
“Nowadays, these colors represent what I managed to achieve.”
Bastoni is a youth product of Atalanta who signed for Inter in 2017. He has now established himself as a key player for the club and a regular feature in the Italian national team.