Alessandro Bastoni on defending Yamal: 'I don't know, last time at the Euros it didn't end well'
Inter Milan’s central defender Alessandro Bastoni has admitted that keeping Barcelona’s Spanish wonderkid Lamine Yamal quiet in their upcoming Champions League semi-final will be a challenge. Speaking after both teams secured their spots in the semi-finals—Inter overcoming Bayern Munich and Barcelona defeating Borussia Dortmund—Bastoni acknowledged his difficulty in preparing for Yamal, having faced him once before in the group stages of Euro 2024.
"I’m not sure how to approach it because the last time we met at the Euros, it didn’t go so well," Bastoni told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Barcelona have a clear playing style, and while they may leave some space, we’ll need to defend as a unit against them."
Bastoni emphasized the need for total concentration and fitness in their upcoming battle, noting, "We’ve already faced top-class wingers like Olise and Sane with Bayern and Arsenal during the league phase. We need to be fully focused and in top condition if we want to make an impact."
Inter’s journey continues with a tough trip to Bologna before their Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against AC Milan. Their first clash with Barcelona in the Champions League will take place on Wednesday, April 30.
