Bastoni accepts responsibility after Italy’s win over Turkey but warns against complacency

Alessandro Bastoni says he feels he is “indebted to the Italian people” after helping Italy beat Turkey 4-1 in Bursa on Monday in the second round of Group A fixtures in the UEFA Nations League.

The Inter Milan defender scored after returning to the starting line-up following a suspension. He had been sent off in Italy’s traumatic match against Bosnia, when they failed in the play-off to qualify for the World Cup.

Bastoni hopes his goal against Turkey can help Italy move on from what he described as “rock bottom”, but he also urged supporters and the team to avoid becoming carried away by the result.

“It was inevitable that my mind would go back to that night in the play-off,” Bastoni told Rai Sport.

“I will be indebted to the Italian people for the next four years. When I face difficult situations, I look only for a way to come through them with my head held high, and I take responsibility.”

The 26-year-old said Italy had endured a difficult period but believed the squad was capable of recovering.

“We have gone through difficult times in recent years, but we want to get back on our feet,” he said, according to Football Italia.

Bastoni called for patience as a younger group continues to develop, saying the players needed to be judged with greater balance.

“All we ask for is some balance and patience when assessing this national team, where there are many young players who want to learn,” he said.

He also addressed the pressure created by criticism on social media and asked supporters to direct their anger towards more experienced figures rather than younger members of the squad.

“I think it is about the attitude, because in Italy it is not easy to live with social media when you hear all kinds of things being said to you,” added Bastoni.

“That is why I ask the fans to blame those who are older and more aware, not the young players.”

Bastoni said the squad remained inexperienced overall but believed it had the ability to improve.

“We are still a young team in general, we have quality and we want to show what we can do,” he said.

However, he warned that Italy must not repeat the mistake of overreacting to a positive result.

“We must not get overly enthusiastic now, because we also did that after some successes last year, and then look what happened,” Bastoni said.

“But at least it is good to feel happy from time to time.”