Bastoni on Dembélé: ‘I’m the last person you should ask’ – video | OneFootball

Italy star Alessandro Bastoni jokes that he should be the ‘last person you should ask’ about facing France’s Ousmane Dembélé: ‘You saw how it went the last time.’

Italy and Inter star Bastoni made a funny and honest admission about facing star striker Dembélé, the latest Ballon d’Or winner.

FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 08: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy looks on prior to the Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

During a pre-match press conference on the eve of tonight’s game against France, Bastoni said.

“You probably saw how it went last time. I’m the last person you should ask; it’s really not easy. He’s an incredible player, just like all of his teammates in that unit.

“We need a great performance from a defensive standpoint, definitely a collective one that involves everyone, all eleven on the pitch. But I think the only way to put France in trouble is to actually play, without being afraid to keep the ball. So I believe our possession phase can make the difference.”

WROCLAW, POLAND – SEPTEMBER 5: Ousmane Dembele of France looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Ukraine and France at Tarczynski Arena on September 5, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)

Bastoni’s reference was to the 2025 Champions League Final, which his Inter side lost 5-0 to Dembélé’s PSG.

Bastoni started Friday’s away game against Turkiye and scored the winning goal for the Azzurri.

Tonight, he’s expected to start against France in the Nations League group phase, Round 3.

Bastoni on Dembélé: ‘I’m the last person you should ask’