Alessandro Bastoni addresses Italy's form and recent challenges

Italian defender Alessandro Bastoni has addressed recent challenges following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup after a playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking ahead of Italy’s Nations League fixtures, Bastoni emphasized his resilience, stating, “I do not want to be perceived as a victim.” He noted that while the defeat in Zenica was painful, he intends to focus on the present to shape the future of his career.

Bastoni has seen a resurgence in form, scoring in consecutive matches: once during a 4-1 victory against Turkey and again during a 1-1 draw against France in Paris. Despite facing scrutiny following a red card in the Bosnia playoffs and other off-field controversies, the defender remains committed to the national team. He expressed confidence in the squad’s potential, suggesting that their performance against France demonstrates they can compete with any opponent.