{"id":77280,"date":"2026-04-15T15:36:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T15:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/bastoni-isnt-even-half-of-maldini-but-can-bring-barcelona-to-different-level\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T15:36:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T15:36:34","slug":"bastoni-isnt-even-half-of-maldini-but-can-bring-barcelona-to-different-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/bastoni-isnt-even-half-of-maldini-but-can-bring-barcelona-to-different-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Bastoni ‘isn’t even half of Maldini’ but can bring Barcelona to ‘different level’"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Former Milan star Marcel Desailly feels Alessandro Bastoni could bring Barcelona to a \u2018different level\u2019, but the Inter defender \u2018isn\u2019t even half of Paolo Maldini.\u2019<\/p>\n

Ex-Milan and France defender Desailly spoke to the Italian Football Podcast about two under-fire Serie A stars in recent weeks: Inter\u2019s Bastoni and Milan\u2019s Rafael Leao.<\/p>\n

Bastoni has received criticism from fans and media alike in recent months. The Inter star was first involved in a huge controversy during a Serie A match against Juventus in February, when he caused and celebrated a red card for Pierre Kalulu.<\/p>\n

A few weeks later, he received a straight red card in Italy\u2019s World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which proved to be a big turning point in the Azzurri\u2019s loss on penalties.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he has been consistent, I think he\u2019s been at Inter for like seven seasons and doing well no matter who the coach is,\u201d Desailly said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s a top international leader, but as you said, he is a player who knows how to adapt to the system. This is his limit.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has helped Inter to probably win the league this season by his consistency and understanding of how to read the game. But I think the limit is there, international level, this is it. They don\u2019t play the same system.<\/p>\n

Desailly on Bastoni transfer: Barcelona \u2018weak at the back\u2019<\/h2>\n
\"MADRID,<\/source><\/picture>
MADRID, SPAIN \u2013 APRIL 22: Laureus World Academy Member Marcel Desailly during the EURO 2024 Press Conference prior to the Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2024 at the Palacio de Cibeles on April 22, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas\/Getty Images for Laureus)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe managed to adapt himself again with Gattuso. He is on the left side, if you want to compare him to Maldini, but he isn\u2019t even half of Maldini. But he is who he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several sources claim that Bastoni, who is under contract with Inter until 2028, is keen to join Barcelona in the summer, and Desailly believes that both the defender and Bar\u00e7a would benefit from such a move.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I mean it is a good experience to match your level. Same as Leao, I don\u2019t know his winning mentality. He is a defender, he isn\u2019t a creative player,\u201d said Desailly, a 1998 France World Cup winner.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut maybe he can lift the level to understand and adapt to Barcelona\u2019s level where they are in need of a strong defensive attitude.<\/p>\n

\"FLORENCE,<\/source><\/picture>
FLORENCE, ITALY \u2013 OCTOBER 08: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy looks on prior to the Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cYou can see Barcelona, in each position they are just amazing, but they are weak at the back, and that is why they don\u2019t win the Champions League.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he could be that player that brings that consistency and that strength on the defensive block to bring Barcelona to another level. Because they definitely need defensive leaders in the squad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Milan star Rafael Leao hasn\u2019t scored a goal since March 1, and Gazzetta dello Sport recently argued that the Portuguese winger and the Rossoneri should part ways at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said it, you cannot criticise him, because the day you criticise him, he will produce magic on the pitch. And you are stuck, and you don\u2019t know what to say anymore. In five seconds, he will crash out all the negativity you put on him,\u201d argued Desailly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we know 100% that he doesn\u2019t have the consistency. And he isn\u2019t on his own a leader for a full season like Messi was, and Neymar was.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have that consistency. He is an important player for the team, but he can never be the main man throughout the season. He can be the main man once in a while because he will be on and off.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he looks like he has reached the maximum level he can produce. I can\u2019t criticise him because he is earning a lot of money and plays for Milan and the Portuguese national team.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I think that he thinks he is everything. He isn\u2019t mentally ready to study where he can improve physically, because he potentially cannot give more physically,\u201d continued the ex-Milan defender.<\/p>\n

\"MILAN,
MILAN, ITALY \u2013 APRIL 11: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is hugged by Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, after being substituted during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThen maybe he can potentially study how to change his diet, training or whatever to have that consistency. He is a bit of a problem in a system because he doesn\u2019t track back. He\u2019ll push forward but when the action is finished, he stops.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means he doesn\u2019t have the legs to get back into position. So, there must be a physical and mental approach that could eventually bring him to the level of, because he could be Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut does he really want it? Is his entourage smart enough to be able to tell him, \u2018Look, what you\u2019ve done is great, but to get to the next level, you will need to adjust certain things.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause for now this is the maximum we can expect from Leao.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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