Inter's defender has become a scapegoat in his own country after the disaster against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the defeat in the World Cup playoff final in Zenica.
Bastoni has not been particularly popular among Italian fans for some time ahead of the World Cup playoff match. Last month, in the "Derby of Italy" against Juventus (a 3-2 win), the Inter defender committed a terrible dive, which led to Pierre Kalulu receiving his second yellow card.
Against Bosnia, with Italy leading 1-0, he brought down Amar Memiฤ and received a red card. Italy failed to maintain the lead with 10 players and conceded an equalizing goal in the final moments of the match.
Finally, after 120 minutes of play, the World Cup qualification was decided by penalties, with Bosnia and Herzegovina emerging as the winner.
"Now he must leave Italy for his own safety. We are losing an extraordinary talent, one of the best defenders in modern football. I am very sorry, but I think for his own sake he will have to find a club abroad," said the celebrated Inter player Giuseppe Bergomi.
Bergomi spent his entire career playing for Inter. He won the World Cup with Italy in 1982 and played 81 international matches.
"For me, he is a friend. I even see him at basketball games. I care deeply about him. The mistake against Bosnia had to happen, just look at what they have been saying to him for a month and a half," concludes Bergomi, blaming the public in Italy for the criticism over the dive against Juventus.