It wasn’t an excellent search for Alessandro Bastoni throughout -Juventus when he triggered and celebrated Pierre Kalulu’s crimson card, however it will be unsuitable to omit him from the Italy nationwide crew for this, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Why Bastoni shouldn’t face punishment with Italy nationwide crew
Some Italian followers and journalists due to his behaviour in Inter-Juventus on Saturday. The Italy worldwide not solely deceived the referee with a dive that led to Kalulu’s second yellow card, but additionally wildly celebrated when the official confirmed the crimson.
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Bastoni’s actions “didn’t align with the ideas of honest play,” as , however this doesn’t imply the defender must be excluded from the Italy squad.
BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter throughout Pre-Season Pleasant match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Picture by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Pictures)
A number of sources have already reassured that Gattuso is not going to take motion, which means that Bastoni might be a part of the Italy squad subsequent month when the Azzurri meet Northern Eire in a significant World Cup play-off semi-final. Rightly so, I might say.
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Once more, what Bastoni did wasn’t good to see, particularly as a result of we’re speaking about among the finest Italian gamers and one of many supposed leaders within the Azzurri dressing room, who ought to set the instance slightly than attempting to trigger much more confusion to the referee.
Sadly, Bastoni is just not alone on this. Over the previous few months, the standard of refereeing in Serie A has hit new lows one week after one other, however match officers haven’t been helped by footballers in any means.
Each time, in each recreation, we see gamers happening in ache for the slightest touches, hoping {that a} VAR verify would spot a step-on-foot and a ensuing penalty. Too many instances, footballers, particularly in Serie A, overreact each time an opponent goes for a problem, hoping to trigger no matter punishment.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale disputes with Referee Felix Zwayer in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD6 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on December 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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VAR has absolutely triggered extra issues than these it has solved this time period. It’s been overused far an excessive amount of for minor incidents, however, mockingly, the protocol didn’t permit it to intervene to save lots of Kalulu from being despatched off on Saturday, provided that his foul was a second-yellow card offence.
The Bastoni incident has been blown out of proportion due to the size of the sport, but it surely must also be a turning level from which footballers have to indicate a special perspective in direction of referees by sticking to the ideas of the sport with out pointless drama that solely makes the sport extra poisonous.
Bastoni shouldn’t be punished by Gattuso for one thing that everyone, wrongly, does. And that is much more true forward of an important Italy recreation within the final 4 years.
On March 26, the Azzurri might be internet hosting Northern Eire in Bergamo within the World Cup play-off semi-final. In the event that they progress, they’ll go to Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina within the closing, and if the Azzurri are to qualify for the World Cup, they want their greatest gamers and unity.
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Hopefully, Bastoni gained’t get the powerful reception that Gigio Donnarumma has generally skilled throughout Italy video games prior to now, particularly in his first years at PSG. Membership-related issues have to be put aside in the course of the subsequent worldwide break as Gennaro Gattuso will want unity on and off the pitch to keep away from one other World Cup fiasco.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Referee, Alejandro Hernandez, reveals a yellow card to Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
Many Juventus followers gained’t agree with this, however not even Juventus would need or want Bastoni to be dropped from the Italy squad. The Bianconeri didn’t maintain again criticism in direction of Italian referees on Saturday, however didn’t point out Bastoni immediately throughout post-match interviews.
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They know this type of perspective is unfortunately a part of the sport generally, however referees ought to now have the instruments to keep away from affecting video games so closely.
Absolutely, Bastoni gained’t be proud watching the replays of his dive and celebration, however he has a lesson to study from this. Italian legends like Franco Baresi, Beppe Bergomi and Paolo Maldini earned the respect of their opponents, particularly for the best way they behaved on the pitch, and those that at the moment are anticipated to steer the nationwide crew, equivalent to Bastoni, should lead by instance.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy in motion in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Pictures)
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Furthermore, there’s a lesson that every one Serie A gamers ought to study. The much less that referee will get concerned, the higher it’s for the sport. Inter’s 2-2 draw towards Napoli in January was among the finest video games in Serie A this season, additionally as a result of the match official, Daniele Doveri, not often blew the whistle; solely 5 instances within the first half.
Too usually, when an Italian crew faces a Premier League aspect in Europe, we’re shocked by the distinction within the tempo and depth, which can also be a consequence of how fragmented Serie A video games are.
VAR has to vary, gamers and referees should change too, however this doesn’t imply the Azzurri should go to an enormous recreation with out one in every of their greatest gamers.