In the post-match interview, Bastoni hinted at the coach’s scolding during halftime, even though federal rules prohibit it for suspended coaches. But the effect on the field was evident…
Inter struggled in the first half against Roma, trailing by a goal, but rallied back after halftime, equalizing with Marcus Thuram and shortly after taking the lead with an own goal by Angeliño. However, Simone Inzaghi was suspended for this game, and on the bench was Massimiliano Farris, the trusted assistant. According to federal regulations, a suspended coach cannot direct the team or participate in the event, not even with a phone call, which seems to have occurred.
INZAGHI’S PHONE CALL
Nonetheless, Alessandro Bastoni let slip some details after the game: “We talked, the coach called us on speakerphone and told us we just had to be ourselves, the ones we were until a few days ago. We took the field and showed it.”
Inzaghi’s voice encouraging the team was heard from the press room, discussing the work of the “fifth players,” thus confirming the defender’s statements. Farris, on the other hand, attempted to backtrack: “Inzaghi’s call? There was communication between the fired-up coach and us, the staff, acting as intermediaries.”
Where the truth lies is difficult to determine, just as the appropriateness of a regulation that effectively prohibits phone calls in the age of artificial intelligence. Nonetheless, the effect was evident: a fired-up team, victory, and a stretch of positive results.
