Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 6:47 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 6:48 p.m.
Three days after the monster scandal in the derby won by Inter, 3-2 with Juventus, Alessandro Bastoni offered the first statements about the simulation episode, which caused the elimination of Pierre Kalulu. The Nerazzurri stopper took the blame, at the press conference before the game with Bodo/Glimt in the play-off round of the Champions League.
Bastoni chose to remain silent and close his and his wife's social media accounts after his family received a lot of insulting messages and even death threats!
Bastoni: “What I felt was a contact of Kalulu with my arm, which on analysis was very pronounced”
He originally intended to defend himself, but delayed until the first official opportunity, provided by UEFA's usual press conference scheduled before Champions League games. Arriving in Bodo with Cristi Chivu's team, Bastoni previously spoke at the conference that the Romanian coach will hold in Norway.
Pierre Kalulu was furious after Alessandro Bastoni pretended to be fouled in the 3-2 Inter – Juventus derby, being sent off before the break / Photo: Imago
“I wanted to come and speak here because there has been much, much more discussion than I thought and imagined about what happened on Saturday.
I waited a few days to analyze everything that happened. What I felt was a contact with my arm, which upon analysis was very pronounced.
I am here to admit and take responsibility. What I regret, however, is my subsequent behavior. Every human being has the right to make mistakes, but also the duty to admit them. That's why I'm in front of you.”
“I've played over 300 games in Serie A and you'll see tomorrow that I don't feel affected by what happened”
Asked if this incident will have a consequence on his performance in Wednesday's game (9:45 p.m., live text on GSP.ro and live on Digi Sport 1 and Prima Sport 1), Bastoni answered: “What you have always seen I will do tomorrow as well.
Referee Federico La Penna removes Kalulu at the end of the first half of the Inter – Juventus 3-2 derby / Photo: Imago
I played over 300 games in Serie A and what people are saying about me being affected by what happened is not true. We are moving on and I have nothing more to say.”
The centre-back, who is announced as a starter in the Chivu-coached team, also discussed the playing surface and the winter weather in Norway: “Apart from the fact that we will be playing on a synthetic pitch and it will be cold, Bodo has a strong and well-organized team.
Beyond that, there will be conditions we are not used to. They beat Atlético Madrid this season and we know what kind of team they are. But we don't want to make any excuses.”
