Some supporters feel that Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni should be dropped from the Italy national team squad as a result of his dive that resulted in the sending off of Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia in Serie A on Saturday night.
Angry fans want Bastoni dropped from Italy national team
Bastoni woke up as a divisive figure in Italy on Sunday morning after being at the centre of controversy during Inter’s 3-2 victory over Juventus in San Siro the night before.
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Bastoni went down under the challenge of Kalulu in the 42nd minute, but it was evident that the Nerazzurri centre-back had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Kalulu was already carrying a yellow card and as this incident was not a direct red card call, VAR could not intervene or overturn the decision.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
This has led to a series of accusations and apologies from Juventus and Serie A officials, while newspapers in Italy on Sunday claimed that the derby was ‘ruined’ as a result of the refereeing error.
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Bastoni has also earned his fair share of criticism on Sunday morning. Alessandro Del Piero was among the television pundits to criticise him for simulation on Saturday evening, and referee designator Gianluca Rocchi also called him out for his conduct.
Some reporters and supporters online have gone as far as suggesting that Bastoni does not deserve to be called up to the Italy national team squad as a result of his actions on Saturday evening.
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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TMW’s Luca Calamai questioned on Sunday whether ‘a player like that’ deserves to represent Italy on the global stage, and has urged Gennaro Gattuso and Gabriele Gravina to consider dropping him from the squad.
Milan pundit Alessandro Jacobone wrote on X: “Gattuso seriously needs to consider leaving him at home, the anti-sportsmanship shown by Bastoni does not align with Azzurri values.”
Another supporter wrote: “We’re watching the Olympics, which are bringing pride to the nation. Characters and attitudes like this ruin all the good we’re doing elsewhere. I’d gladly give up on the World Cup, I don’t want to go there feeling ashamed.”
-Una federazione seria interviene.-Una federazione seria impedisce a #Bastoni di andare in nazionale.-Una federazione seria chiede scusa e fa partire una indagine SERIA su questo club. Per il bene del calcio italiano, tutto questo deve finire.Basta #InterJuve pic.twitter.com/cT1PBv8AmL
