ALESSANDRO BASTONI NEWS

Italy coach Mancini defends call-up of Mario Balotelli

Italy coach Roberto Mancini has dismissed suggestions that recalling forward Mario Balotelli to the Italy squad after a three-year absence smacks of desperation

JANUARY 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Balotelli back in Italy squad after 3-year absence

Mario Balotelli is back in the Italy squad more than three years after his last appearance in an Azzurri shirt

JANUARY 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Outstanding in Lazio game Bastoni had five clearances, won five duels, scored a goal and picked up an assist in Sunday's 2-1 win over Lazio.

Impact Bastoni was rock-solid as usual in the back, but he provided his biggest contribution on the other end in this case, as he slotted it home from distance after a corner kick and teed up Milan Skriniar with a gorgeous cross. He is now up to three assists in the season, while it is his first goal. He has posted 33 tackles, 24 interceptions and 45 clearances in 24 matches. Inter will visit Atalanta Sunday.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Piles up stats versus Cagliari Bastoni had four interceptions, drew three fouls, won 12 duels and sent in two crosses (zero accurate) in Sunday's 4-0 win over Cagliari.

Impact Bastoni was the busiest among Inter defenders en route to their fourth straight clean sheet in Serie A play. He has notched 28 tackles, 21 interceptions and 36 clearnces in 21 matches. Inter will visit Salernitana Friday.

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Bastoni provided one assist, created one chance, delivered three crosses, won one tackle, made one interception, three clearances and one block in Saturday's 3-0 win versus Roma.

Impact Bastoni had a great offensive outing as he provided one assist to help his side earn all three points. The defender has now registered two assists in 14 appearances this season. However, he is better known for racking up defensive stats and being an aerial threat on set piece situations.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back in starting XI Bastoni (illness) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Roma.

Impact Bastoni is back in the XI as expected Saturday after missing the midweek match with an illness. He's alongside Milan Skriniar and Danilo D'Ambrosio with Federico Dimarco on the bench. Inter are on a run of three-straight clean sheets and will hope for another against Roma.

DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Expected back versus Roma Bastoni (illness) has good chances to start in Saturday's match against Roma, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Impact Bastoni shook off most symptoms of the recent illness and, while he was not a full go in practice after sitting out the last game, he is likely to tough it out since Stefan De Vrij and Andrea Ranocchia is out. If he gets the nod, he will replace either Danilo D'Ambrosio or Denzel Dumfries.

DECEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Spezia game Bastoni is unavailable Wednesday versus Spezia due to gastroenteritis, Inter announced.

Impact Bastoni was expected to anchor the defense with Stefan De Vrij and Andrea Ranocchia both on the shelf, but he is out too. Milan Skriniar will adapt to the role, flanked by Danilo D'Ambrosio and Federico Dimarco.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Stingy in Venezia tilt Bastoni had five clearances and two interceptions and won two of three tackles and five duels in Saturday's 2-0 win over Venezia.

Impact Bastoni played in a different role than usual, as he anchored the defense, but that did not affect his level of performance. He has logged 24 tackles, 15 tackles and 29 clearances in 18 matches, with five clean sheets. Inter will host Spezia Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Wins three duels against Shakhtar Bastoni had one block and one interception, won three duels and drew one foul in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Impact Bastoni contributed to a rather easy clean sheet with the usual attentiveness in the back. He has posted 21 tackles, 13 interceptions and 24 clearances in 17 matches. Inter will face Venezia away Sunday.

NOVEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Wins two duels versus Napoli Bastoni (thigh) sent in two crosses (one accurate), had one clearance and won two duels in Sunday's 3-2 win over Napoli.

Impact Bastoni got the start as expected despite missing international duties with a thigh injury, but he posted a low-end line and the opponents bagged two goals. He has recorded 20 tackles, 12 interceptions and 24 clearances in 16 games, with three clean sheets. Inter will host Shakhtar Donetsk in Champions League Wednesday and then visit Venezia Saturday.

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go for Napoli clash Bastoni (thigh) has been able to practice regularly in the past couple of days, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Impact Bastoni missed the Italy matches due to a contracture, but the issue was not worrisome. He will continue starting in Sunday's game versus Napoli, where he could have a bigger role due to Stefan De Vrij's absence. He has tallied 18 tackles, 12 interceptions, 23 clearances and three blocks in 15 games, with three clean sheets.

NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Should be fine for Napoli match Bastoni missed international duties for an ailment, but he should be able to shake it off in time for Sunday's tilt with Napoli, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Impact Bastoni sustained the problem in the derby a week ago. He practiced on the side upon his return from the Italy camp, but he should re-join the rest of the group shortly. Inter will face Napoli at home Sunday.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Italy loses 3 more players ahead of final qualifier

Italy has lost three more players ahead of its final World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland

NOVEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dealing with thigh issue Bastoni was on the stands for Friday's match against Switzerland due to a contracture he picked up in the derby with Milan, Rai Sport reports.

Impact Bastoni stayed with the national team in the lead-up of the game, but he was a late scratch for the World Cup qualifier. It is possible that he heads back to his side early. Inter will face Napoli at home next Sunday.

NOVEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mancini calls up Pobega for decisive World Cup qualifiers

Torino midfielder Tommaso Pobega has been called up to Italy’s squad for the first time for decisive World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Northern Ireland

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sets up teammate versus Udinese Bastoni had two interceptions, won five duels, created two scoring chances and picked up an assist in Sunday's 2-0 win over Udinese.

Impact Bastoni did not have a particularly busy day in the back and provided an assist as one of his long passes trickled to Joaquin Correa, who took it to the house with a solo action. It is his first helper of the campaign. He has registered 16 tackles, 19 clearances and 11 interceptions in 13 games, with three clean sheets. Inter will face Sheriff Tiraspol in Champions League Wednesday and then Milan next Sunday.

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Posts six cleanrances in Empoli game Bastoni had one interception and six clearances, won six duels and created one scoring in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Empoli.

Impact Bastoni had the second busy performance in a row and Inter managed to shut down the opponent in this case. He has logged 16 tackles, nine interceptions and 18 clearances in 12 matches, contributing to two clean sheets. Inter will host Udinese Sunday.

OCTOBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Holds up against Juventus Bastoni won eight duels and had two clearances, two interceptions and one block in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Juventus.

Impact Bastoni had the busiest performance among Inter defenders, however they were unable to keep the clean sheet due to a late PK. He has logged 14 tackles, eight clearances and 12 blocks in three games, contributing to one clean sheets. Inter will face Empoli away Wednesday.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mancini keeps Italy's Euro 2020 winners for Nations League

Italy coach Roberto Mancini has recalled all the fit players from his European Championship-winning squad for the Nations League semifinal against Spain next week

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wins six duels versus Bologna Bastoni had two interceptions and one clearance and won two of four tackles and six duels in Saturday's 6-1 win over Bologna.

Impact Bastoni logged another commanding display in the back, but Inter gave up a late consolation goal. He has tallied ten tackles, four clearances and four interceptions in four matches. Inter will face Fiorentina away Tuesday.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets the start versus Real Madrid Bastoni (thigh) had two clearances, won five duels and two of two tackles and sent in one inaccurate cross in Wednesday's 0-1 loss to Real Madrid.

Impact Bastoni was a late call due to a recent thigh problem, but he did not look hampered. He had a solid game, although Inter gave up a late goal. He has posted six tackles, two interceptions and three clearances in three matches. Inter will host Bologna Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Practices fully Tuesday Bastoni (thigh) was a full go in practice Tuesday, and it will be up to the coach to decide whether to field him in Wednesday's game against Real Madrid, Sky Italy reports.

Impact Bastoni missed the previous game due to a thigh problem, but it did not linger. Still, it is possible the coaching staff plays it safe, opting for Federico Dimarco or Danilo D'Ambrosio to avoid more serious problems.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Real Madrid clash Bastoni took some tests on his thigh, which came back negative, Inter announced.

Impact Bastoni is dealing with some discomfort with his thigh, but he did not sustain a pull or a strain. The coaching staff will assess the level of risk of fielding him in the next couple of days. He could replace Federico Dimarco or Ivan Perisic compared to their most recent XI.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss Sampdoria match Bastoni (thigh) returned from international duties with some muscle fatigue and will take further tests Monday, coach Simone Inzaghi informed.

Impact Bastoni is in danger of skipping multiple matches considering the short turnaround, depending on the severity of the issues. The coach stated that he will pick one between Danilo D'Ambrosio, Aleksandar Kolarov and Federico Dimarco to replace him.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE