Apologetic Bastoni on death threats: "I'm sorry for my wife and daughter"

Four days after the latest Derby d'Italia, the dust hasn't settled yet, all because of Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni and his rather controversial move in the final minutes of the opening half.

With the score at 1-1, the defender fell after a duel with Juventus' Pierre Kalulu, although there was little to no contact. Consequently, the Frenchman received a second yellow card and was sent off, while Bastoni got away with an almost evident dive, which could easily earn a second booking for him instead of the Juve defender.

To make matters worse, the Italian passionately celebrated Kalulu's dismissal, further enraging practically all non-Inter football fans worldwide.

Death threats, suspension, arguments... the vicious aftermath of Derbi d‘Italia

The Nerazzurri eventually exploited a numerical advantage and won the game 3-2, but the situation escalated and got out of hand in the aftermath of the derby, as Bastoni and his family received death threats.

So, the 26-year-old chose to appear in Inter's pre-match press conference ahead of tonight's Champions League duel against the Norwegian Bodo/Glimt (23.00), all to admit that he was sorry - not because of a dive, which he denied, but because of his reaction.

"I wanted to come here because a lot more has happened than I would have thought or imagined after Saturday. I waited a few days to review what happened."

"What I felt was contact with my arm, which was emphasised when I watched it back. I'm here to take responsibility."

"What I regret is my subsequent behaviour. A human being has the right to make mistakes but equally the duty to recognise them. That's why I'm here," the Italian stated via beIN SPORTS.

Still, although his move was by no means sportsmanlike, neither Bastoni nor any other athlete and human being deserved death threats. The centre-back touched on them, highlighting what his family had been going through.

"I noticed a lot of hypocrisy. I heard insiders say things that shouldn't be said in heaven or on Earth. I thank those who just called me 'stupid' and left it at that."

"It didn't affect me that much. We're exposed as players. We're accustomed to this type of media pile-on. I'm able to handle the situation."

"I'm more sorry for my wife and daughter who have found themselves on the receiving end of death threats. I also feel sorry for the referee, La Penna, for people who are less used to being exposed like that," he said.

Finally, many called for Bastoni to be expelled from the Italy national team, and even though there were no hints that those demands would become a reality, the player sent a clear message to the public, including the Azzurri head coach Gennaro Gattuso.

"My career and character shouldn't be defined by an incident like this."

Hopefully, they won't be, though situations like this can often leave a big stain on one's professional legacy.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS

First leg

Tuesday

Galatasaray - Juventus 5-2 (1-2)

/Sara 15, Lang 49, 75, Sanchez 60, Boey 86 - Koopmeiners 16, 32/

Benfica - Real Madrid 0-1 (0-0)

/Vinicius 50/

Dortmund - Atalanta 2-0 (2-0)

/Guirassy 3, Beier 42/

Monaco - PSG 2-3 (2-2)

/Balogun 1, 18 - Doue 29, 67, Hakimi 41/

Wednesday

20.45: (7.75) Qarabag (4.50) Newcastle (1.42)

23.00: (5.00) Bodo (3.90) Inter (1.68)

23.00: (3.85) Club Brugge (3.90) Atl.Madrid (1.95)

23.00: (2.50) Olympiakos (3.35) Leverkusen (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***