Alessandro Bastoni is confident Inter Milan will “given 200%” in tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.
The Nerazzurri defender spoke at a press conference before Game 2 of the semi-finals, as reported by Fcinternews.
Inter Milan will face Barcelona in the Champions League tomorrow evening.
This will be a game that could define a season for both the two teams.
Inter have a real chance to reach the final of European top club competition for the second time in just three years.
And after finishing with a 3-3 draw last Wednesday, there’s everything to play for everything.
Bastoni: “Inter Milan gives 200%” UCL Showdown vs Barcelona
“We’re two games away from our Champions League victory,” said Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni.
“We give 110% or more. As a group, we give 200% because we know we’re playing in the semi-finals.”
“It doesn’t happen every year,” Bastoni said. “It may seem obvious from the outside.”
“We have a lot of desire to play. Enthusiasm and confidence. We can’t wait for tomorrow night.”
Regarding what Inter learned from the first leg against Barcelona, Bastoni said, “We’ve seen a lot of videos, but playing against them will teach you a lot.”
“We learn from our first feet,” the 26-year-old added. “We made some errors in passing that could have created opportunities for them.”
“But we can improve a lot and cause problems for them.”
Bastoni declared, “We are proud of the path we took.”
“We play a lot of games, but we’re really interested in making fans who follow us and making sacrifices for us, I’m happy.”
“If you’re on the outside, people don’t know what we put in every day,” Bastoni said.
“We haven’t taken a long break. We care about success.”
“It was a tough week,” the interdefender added. “But all we can do is thank the group for what we’ve been doing.”
Bastoni admits that “there will be a moment of great suffering.”
Bastoni then told fans that tomorrow will be “a moment of suffering on a massive scale.”
“It’s because it’s Barcelona’s game, just like in the first leg.”
“At these moments we need a push from all Nerazzuri fans, taking into account the fact that we are 11 years old against the 11 on the pitch.”
“Fans have to create a hot atmosphere,” Bastoni said. “And you need to keep it cool to make the right decision.”
Bastoni then commented, “We’ve got two games apart since we got it all and so we have the 14th highest wage bill in the competition.”
“No one would have predicted that at the beginning of the season.”
“I’m extremely proud of it. It’s an honor to represent this club.”
When asked if Inter felt that he had proved himself as a big European club, Bastoni replied, “From what he saw on the pitch.”
“We’re not hiding from it. That’s what the pitch tells us.”
Bastoni: “It’s not a Champions League prioritization”
Meanwhile, in response to the idea that Inter prioritizes the Champions League, Bastoni said, “Coach never told us to commit to the Champions League alone.”
“So it’s definitely not.”
“There was a psychological decline,” Bastoni admitted Inter’s league style.
“But that doesn’t mean we’re 20 points away from the top spot at the league table. We’re also taking part in the Champions League semi-finals.”
Bastoni then commented, “We’re not in the top four teams in Europe.”
“Only by being together we can do our best out of all qualities.”
Italian International spoke in passionate terms about Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez. “Rauti is our physical and moral leader.”
“There’s more tension behind a match like this than it makes us excited. But looking back, playing in a match like this is everyone’s dream.”
“So I’m trying to enjoy it,” Bastoni added. “And get hooked on these feelings.”
