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MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano is congratulated by Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, after scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
It was an emotional night for Italy internationals Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella, who were both visibly touched by the support shown by Inter fans after the World Cup play-off.
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This was the first match for the players since the traumatic defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ruled Italy out of a third consecutive edition of the World Cup.
Inter fans show support for Italy players
Bastoni was sent off in that game in Zenica, one of the biggest contributing factors to their exit, and sparked a firestorm of criticism from the media and public.
He had already faced calls for him to be dropped by Italy after confessing to a simulation that got Pierre Kalulu unfairly sent off for Juventus last month, so the dismissal in such an important fixture piled on immense pressure.
Amid reports Bastoni is eager to leave the country and accept a move to Barcelona to escape this tension, it was touching to see him receive a standing ovation from the San Siro crowd as he was substituted in the 5-2 win over Roma.
There was also a special moment for his Italy teammate Barella, who scored a goal and seemed to fight back tears as he saluted the fans, then rushed to the touchline to give big hugs to both coach Cristian Chivu and Bastoni.
