Alessandro Bastoni will return to Italy’s starting line-up against Turkey in Bursa on Monday evening, 181 days after the red card in Zenica that left him watching the decisive part of the World Cup play-off from the sidelines.
The Inter defender missed the subsequent defeat to Belgium through suspension, and the memory of Bosnia has remained attached to his international record. Italy were leading 1-0 when Bastoni was dismissed in the 41st minute of the first half after bringing down Memic, who was running towards Gianluigi Donnarumma. Whether he could have stopped the move remains open to debate, but Bastoni saw the danger and made the challenge. Italy eventually went out on penalties, leaving the familiar question of what an 11-versus-11 finish might have brought.
Now Roberto Mancini has handed the centre-back an immediate opportunity to begin a different chapter. Italy are seeking their first win of Mancini’s new spell after the loss to Belgium, and Bastoni is expected to take his place at the heart of the defence.
A difficult year finds a new stage
Bursa, beneath the slopes of ancient Mysian Olympus and a former Ottoman capital, offers a striking setting for Bastoni’s return. The Turkish city hosted the world mountain running championships two decades ago; for the defender, Monday is less about scenery than restoring a sense of control after a turbulent six months.
His season has included difficult moments beyond the Bosnia dismissal. Bastoni was criticised for an alleged simulation during Inter’s match against Juventus on 14 February, around six weeks before the trip to Zenica, and he was jeered in several Serie A grounds, including Lecce and Como.
Inter’s trophies helped steady the picture. Bastoni finished the campaign with the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, then used the summer break to put the Bosnia disappointment behind him. This term, he has started every match for the club. His only early exit came against Roma, when he was substituted in the 63rd minute shortly after receiving a yellow card.
Inter’s international watch
Cristian Chivu will be following the situation from Milan as Bastoni represents the Nerazzurri in Turkey. Nicolò Barella has remained at home, Federico Dimarco has returned to the club because of a physical problem, and Esposito is expected to begin among the substitutes.
For Bastoni, however, the assignment is clear. He must help Italy avoid another defensive lapse and give Mancini’s side the platform for a first victory of the new era. The red card in Bosnia cannot be removed from the record, but a composed performance in Bursa would give Italy’s defender a chance to replace one lasting image with a more useful one.
