Feb 21 • 17:19 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy La Repubblica

Deluge of boos for Bastoni as soon as he touches the ball in Lecce-Inter

Alessandro Bastoni faced relentless booing every time he touched the ball during the Lecce-Inter match due to a controversial incident from a previous game.

In the Lecce-Inter match, defender Alessandro Bastoni was met with a chorus of boos from fans each time he had possession of the ball. This backlash stemmed from a widely discussed simulation incident that occurred on February 14, when Bastoni's actions led to the expulsion of Juventus player Kalulu, deceiving referee La Penna. The unexpected reactions from Lecce fans took those associated with Inter by surprise, as they did not anticipate such hostility against one of their own players.

During the game, Inter's coach Cristian Chivu encouraged Bastoni to ignore the jeers, urging him to stay focused despite the negative reactions. Chivu's statement, “Bravo Ale’, go ahead and don’t think about it,” was an attempt to bolster Bastoni's confidence amidst the chaotic atmosphere. Additionally, assistant coach Alexandar Kolarov visibly expressed his disapproval of the fans' behavior, turning towards the stands with a gesture that seemed to question their hostility towards the player.

Bastoni, for his part, managed to maintain a composed demeanor, not showing any outward emotional response to the barrage of boos. This incident highlights the intense sentiments surrounding player behavior in football, demonstrating how a single event can lead to significant repercussions, particularly in a passionate football environment like Italy, where fans are deeply engaged and unafraid to vocalize their feelings towards players, especially following incidents that are perceived as dubious.

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