Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has become the focal point of national criticism after his early red card led to Italy’s penalty shootout defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina, confirming a historic third consecutive World Cup absence.
Alessandro Bastoni is facing intense scrutiny following his straight red card during Italy’s devastating playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 26-year-old was sent off shortly before halftime, forcing the Azzurri to play with ten men for over 70 minutes.
Coach Gennaro Gattuso admitted, “I regret Bastoni´s chase. Maybe we could have chased in a better way,” as Italy once again failed to qualify.
The dismissal follows a month of controversy for the defender, who was already being booed for a simulation incident against Juventus.
Italian media have been relentless, with Gazzetta dello Sport describing his performance as “an error that only fuels the debate on Bastoni´s state of form.”
Dejected and silent, Bastoni returned to Milan alone, facing a future clouded by both international failure and domestic hostility.
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