Bastoni mercilessly insulted during Lecce vs. Inter after controversial red card | OneFootball

Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni has not shaken off the controversy for unsporting behaviour yet, as Lecce fans loudly jeered him at every touch today, with Cristian Chivu reassuring the defender.

You can follow all the action as it happens from that game on the Liveblog.

The Italy international was at the centre of controversy over the last week since he simulated a foul to get Pierre Kalulu sent off for Juventus in what turned out to be a 3-2 Nerazzurri victory.

As it was a second yellow card, it could not be overturned using VAR, while the video evidence protocol for serious unsporting behaviour was also too limiting for action to be taken later on.

Bastoni cannot shake off backlash

BODO, NORWAY – FEBRUARY 18: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale Milano reacts after Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt (not pictured) scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between FK Bodo/Glimt and FC Internazionale Milano at Aspmyra Stadion on February 18, 2026 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Martin Ole Wold/Getty Images)

However, there were calls for Bastoni to be dropped from the Azzurri as punishment, and the issue is clearly not behind him yet.

From the opening whistle at the Stadio Via del Mare this evening, Lecce fans mercilessly and loudly jeered his every touch of the ball.

CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Coach Cristian Chivu of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

Chivu noticed on the touchline and tried to reassure the player, telling him to “just ignore them, keep going, you’re doing well, don’t think about it.”

It remains to be seen how long it will take Bastoni to shake off the controversy from that incident, even after his public apology for both making a meal of the situation, and then wildly celebrating the red card.