D’Ambrosio defends Bastoni and Barella: “Unjustly criticized, they are assets of Inter”

Shakhtar Donetsk returns to San Siro and brings back to Danilo D’Ambrosio‘s memory one of the clearest nights of his Nerazzurri career. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the former defender recalls the 2020 Europa League semifinal: “Inter-Shakhtar 5-0, braces from Lautaro and Lukaku, plus a goal from me, the most important of my career. Playing semifinals and finals, even without winning, gives you self-esteem: the strong Inter seen in Europe in recent years was born then.”

It was precisely from that season that the awareness was born that nothing is taken for granted in European competition. “We realized it ourselves the following year, when Shakhtar eliminated us from the Champions: today, as then, the Ukrainians are very organized and have many quality Brazilians. You have to be careful,” warns D’Ambrosio, who then expresses confidence in Chivu: “He is very prepared and meticulous. We weren’t teammates for long, but I saw him work with the Primavera. Coaching the youngsters helped him develop dialogue and openness. He speaks like a winner, he has personality: even the champions sense it.”

Regarding Inter’s current defensive difficulties, D’Ambrosio is not alarmed. “The path to balance will be found by the coach and players together. The defenders of this team are very strong and that’s why they accept one-on-one situations: they enjoy it, even if sometimes you have to chase.” In his opinion, the Nerazzurri club remains a point of reference for Italian football and will find its way in Europe as well.

He then explicitly defends two players who have come under criticism. On Bastoni: “Ale has been criticized, even unfairly. His strength was getting back up and believing in his own value: many others would have fallen. He is a treasure for Inter and the National Team, no one should forget that.” On Barella: “He receives too much criticism at the first mistake, but he has understood that he is a leader. He leads by example. For the shirt, his teammates, and Inter, he gives his all.”

The closing is entrusted to a message of overall confidence. “Inter is not just a bystander, it has the ambitions of a big club. You only fail if you lower your expectations out of fear or if you don’t fight. Inter, on the other hand, learns from difficulties. Now it is being criticized in Europe, but I have total confidence in these guys,” concludes D’Ambrosio.