“Chivu defends Bastoni after controversy in the Italian national team.”

Cristian Chivu, coach of Inter Milan, launched into a fierce and passionate defense of young defender Alessandro Bastoni, who has faced relentless criticism following Italy’s defeat in the World Cup playoff. At a time when media pressure threatens to shake his player, Chivu did not hesitate to praise the courage and sense of responsibility of the center-back, questioning the impartiality of journalists and how the club is treated by the media.

Bastoni, who had already been accused of simulating a foul to provoke the expulsion of Pierre Kalulu in the classic against Juventus, could not alleviate the pressure during the international break. His early dismissal, resulting from a reckless foul as the last defender, left Italy at a numerical disadvantage and ultimately proved decisive in the penalty shootout loss to Bosnia. This incident further exacerbated the media storm surrounding him.

Ahead of Inter’s home game against AS Roma, Chivu fired back at the critics and highlighted the true measure of a player’s worth: the respect of teammates and the character demonstrated in difficult moments. “In football, what matters is the respect of your teammates, your work, and who you are as a person,” the coach stated. “He is surely disappointed by what happened, but at the same time, grateful for the support of his national and club teammates. Because he stepped up. In a moment of difficulty, he put himself forward to represent his nation and try to achieve the dream of all Italians.”

Chivu also emphasized that Bastoni faced enormous physical challenges, having even missed Inter’s most recent game due to injury, but nonetheless made himself available to represent Italy in the playoff. “I know what it means to spend 10 days on crutches and then take responsibility in such an important game,” said the coach, expressing admiration for the player’s professionalism.

The Romanian coach did not overlook what he considers to be media injustice against Inter. When questioned about the pressure that arose after the match against Juventus, Chivu launched a severe critique of the unequal treatment. “I didn’t see the same reaction in other cases, but when it comes to Inter, when someone says that Inter is favored, then it all becomes a public crucifixion. But when there are incidents against Inter, suddenly no one says anything. That is a question you should ask yourselves, because you are the ones who should answer it.”

In addition to defending Bastoni, Chivu also highlighted the attitude of the young 20-year-old forward Pio Esposito, who missed the first penalty in the final decision. “What interested me, and I asked him when I saw him, was whether he had asked to take the penalty. The answer was yes, and that means a lot to me. Taking responsibility at that age, knowing the importance of the game, is what matters. Penalties are missed, and he will miss many more, but what counts is the courage to step up.”

With these words, Cristian Chivu not only pours cold water on the fiercest critics but also emphasizes the values of courage, responsibility, and character that he considers fundamental in modern football. At a time when Bastoni is struggling to regain confidence, the Inter Milan coach stands firm in defending one of his promising talents, demanding a fairer and more balanced perspective from the press and fans. The battle is on, both on and off the pitch.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.