Inter Milan & Italy Superstar Defender Highlights Outstanding Champions League Season: “Many Strong Teams Finished Below Us” | OneFootball

Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is proud of his team’s phenomenal fourth-place finish in the UCL league phase.

The 25-year-old talked to InterTV after a 3-0 win against Monaco via FCInterNews, hailing his team’s final placing.

Simone Inzaghi knew a draw against the French club would be enough for the Nerazzurri to claim a top-eight finish.

However, he refused to settle for a point. Instead, he went after all three and succeeded.

Much credit goes to resurgent team captain Lautaro Martinez.

Indeed, El Toro bagged his first hat-trick this season to seal Inter’s sixth win across eight league-phase contests.

On the other hand, Bastoni held up his end of the bargain defensively.

The highly-rated center-back forged a wall in front of Yann Sommer’s goal, keeping 10-man Monaco at arm’s length.

Moreover, Inter’s dominant performance at the San Siro saw the French visitors finish the game without a shot on target.

As a result, Inter completed a near-faultless league-phase journey as the best defensive side in Europe’s elite competition.

Indeed, they only conceded once.

Alessandro Bastoni Praises Inter Milan Outstanding UCL Campaign

“There’s great satisfaction because we’ve seen which teams finished below us,” he said. “Teams with deep squads and incredible quality.

“We’re happy with the final standings.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale celebrates after the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC Serie A TIM at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 28, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Finishing outside the top eight would have meant playing two extra matches in an already packed schedule.

“And we absolutely wanted to avoid that.

“We’re glad we succeeded, and tonight was a great game.”

Meanwhile, Inter have hit a purple patch since losing the Supercoppa Italiana final in early January.

Inzaghi’s men have won five of their six competitive games since returning from Saudi Arabia.

“After a slightly complicated start to the season, we managed to reset.

“In the end, we achieved all our objectives, and we’re happy.

“Now we look ahead, we’re focused on the derby.”