Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta has offered his verdict on Saturday’s Derby d’Italia incident involving Alessandro Bastoni.
Speaking ahead of today’s Lega Serie A meeting via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri chief urged the media to ease the pressure on the 26-year-old.
Alessandro Bastoni has become one of the most unpopular figures in the country following this weekend’s clash at San Siro.
Indeed, he dived causing referee Federico La Penna to show Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu a second yellow card in the first half.
Despite being on a yellow card himself, Bastoni took the risk, and it paid off, as his simulation led to the Frenchman’s expulsion.
Meanwhile, Inter took three points, courtesy of Piotr Zielinski’s late heroics, as Cristian Chivu finally broke his ‘big game’ curse in Serie A.
However, Bastoni had to pay a hefty price for his actions, facing widespread criticism and even receiving death threats on social media,
Now, Beppe Marotta stepped into the Italian center-back’s defense.
Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta Defends Alessandro Bastoni Amid Widespread Criticism
VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale celebrates during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 02, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“Our position is very simple,” Marotta stated. “I am here because we noticed an excessive media reaction compared to what actually happened.
“Alessandro Bastoni has been subjected to a media witch-hunt that goes far beyond the incident itself.
“We are talking about a 26-year-old player who has played over 300 Serie A matches and has never been involved in any controversial incidents.
“He is an asset for our national team. Some even question his presence in future call-ups, but that is not fair; it is absolutely unjust.
“We are facing a mistake by a young player, but who hasn’t made mistakes?
“When we talk about simulation, we are referring to an act that has existed since the 1950s, when there were already famous players known for this gesture.
“This is, I would say, an ordinary occurrence, not extraordinary; certainly deplorable because the reaction was exaggerated.
“However, it is due to contributing factors, given Kalulu’s arm and the referee blowing his whistle immediately.
“All of this led to a wrong decision, which I acknowledge.
“But these are the referee’s we had last year; the same designator ran it.
“Last year, we lost the Scudetto by one point. In hindsight, in Inter-Roma, they recognized a clear penalty in our favor that determined the outcome of the championship.
“We adhered to the decisions.
“This year, as a club, we spoke only in the case of Napoli-Inter over a penalty that changed the course of the match.
“The competent authorities later reviewed that penalty and declared it incorrect.”
Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta Urges Everyone to Take Responsibility
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“We are facing a general malaise, and that’s fine,” he added.
“But everyone must take responsibility – the CAN and AIA, the clubs through their executives, players and coaches, the institutional bodies, and the FIGC.
“I am not referring to you journalists, because you draw conclusions from what you see and from the statements of those involved.
“You are doing your job correctly, and I am not here to teach you what to do.
“But what happens in Italy also happens abroad.
“It is time to have a broad discussion without creating controversy.
“Perhaps this is the moment to toughen disciplinary and financial penalties for executives, players, and coaches.
“Often, misconduct goes beyond acceptable limits, even at the refereeing level, as has happened in recent months.
“Bastoni did not behave in line with the principles of fair play, fine. But everyone must understand this.
“Repression is not part of my approach; certainly, prevention is possible, but prevention comes through dialogue, which is currently missing.
“The AIC [players’ association] must also get involved.
“Sometimes I notice a certain ignorance regarding regulatory aspects that all players should know.”
Inter Milan President Marotta Slams Italian Journalist Roberto Saviano
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 08: Giuseppe Marotta, CEO of Sport for FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on April 08, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“There is disappointment,” Marotta said. “I don’t know who Roberto Saviano is, I don’t know what role he has.
“I don’t want to give him any importance. He made statements that our lawyers will deal with.”
Then, he commented on if he would shake hands with Giorgio Chiellini.
“I think that’s the minimum. He was my player; he is a young and inexperienced executive.
“I don’t allow myself to give him advice. What happened involves locker room dynamics that are not for me to evaluate, judge, or analyze.”
Finally, Marotta reminded everyone that these things already happened in the past and were in Inter’s favor.
“I have already answered this question,” he said. “In recent years, Inter has been the most successful team, winning the most trophies and accumulating the most points in the league.
“Regarding simulations, I would like to mention a small incident from Juventus-Inter 2021.
“At 2-2, in the 88th minute, Juventus got a penalty for a clear simulation by Juan Cuadrado, a player for whom I have great affection.
“Calvarese was the referee; subsequently, the referee and the technical bodies confirmed it was a clear simulation.
“That simulation led to Juventus’ victory and their qualification for the Champions League, which brought them €60–70 million.”