Alessandro Bastoni has apologised for the style during which he celebrated Pierre Kalulu’s purple card through the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus, has revealed that he has obtained dying threats in consequence and has expressed his sympathies with referee Federico La Penna: ‘I thank those that simply referred to as me ‘silly’ and left it at that’.
Bastoni discovered himself on the centre of controversy for his involvement in Kalulu’s sending off within the forty second minute of the Derby d’Italia in Serie A on Saturday night, which due to a ninetieth minute winner from Piotr Zielinski.
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Kalulu was , the latter of which was described as ‘absurd’ and ‘non-existent’ by in Italy. Bastoni was adjudged to have dived in an try and get his opponent despatched off.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being despatched off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence through the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
So as to add insult to damage for Juventus, Bastoni was carrying a reserving himself on the time and would have been despatched off had he been proven a second yellow card for simulation.
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Bastoni additionally got here below criticism for the style during which he celebrated Kalulu’s sending off. There have even been calls from some supporters for him to be dropped from the Italy nationwide crew squad in consequence.
Bastoni on Kalulu purple automotive, dying threats and Wirtz comparability
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. (Photograph by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Pictures)
Bastoni has saved silent because the incident occured on Saturday, till Tuesday afternoon when he joined Cristian Chivu for the pre-match press conferences forward of Wednesday’s Champions League play-off match away in opposition to Bodo/Glimt.
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The Nerazzurri defender spoke to each Sky Sport Italia and the broader media on the press convention on Tuesday afternoon, apologising for the way in which he celebrated, however not for the way in which he went down.
He in contrast the scenario to the extremely gentle penalty that Liverpool have been awarded in opposition to Inter within the Champions League league section earlier this season.
“I needed to return right here as a result of quite a bit, much more has occurred than I might have thought or imagined after Saturday. I waited a number of days to evaluation what occurred,” Bastoni advised Sky Sport Italia (through ).
“What I felt was a contact with my arm, which was emphasised after I watched it again. I’m right here to take duty. What I remorse is my subsequent behaviour. A human being has the proper to make errors however equally the obligation to recognise them. That’s why I’m right here.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale acknowledges the followers following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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He repeated an identical assertion firstly of his pre-match press convention: “A human being has the proper to make errors, but additionally the obligation to recognise them, so I’m right here for that motive. I’m sorry I reacted like that, it’s proper to carry my fingers as much as that.
“However, my profession and character shouldn’t be outlined by an incident like this. I didn’t assume I might create a lot of an uproar, I seen plenty of hypocrisy, I heard insiders say issues that shouldn’t be stated in heaven or earth. I thank those that simply referred to as me ‘silly’ and left it at that.”
Bastoni was requested whether or not he thinks he ought to have come out and made an announcement sooner than Tuesday, given the abuse that he has obtained to which he replied: “No, it didn’t have an effect on me that a lot. We’re uncovered as individuals. Accustomed to one of these media pile-on and the (membership) President rightly defined that.
“I’m capable of deal with the scenario, I’m extra sorry for my spouse and daughter who’ve discovered themselves on the receiving finish of dying threats. I additionally really feel sorry for the referee, La Penna, for everybody much less used to being uncovered like that.”
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And on his present mindset heading into the Bodo/Glimt match on Wednesday, Bastoni stated: “Mentally I’m doing very properly, the identical factor occurred in reverse when Liverpool have been awarded a penalty in opposition to us. Wirtz didn’t have the identical trial that I did.
“Chivu has been constant. Now I actually wish to get out onto the pitch. I’m not compromised bodily or mentally, so I’m able to play.”
