Massimo Moratti Criticizes Inter Milan's Derby Performance and Calls Bastoni's Action a Big Mistake

G. E (Elbotola)

13 March 2026at10:01

Massimo Moratti, former president of Italian club Inter Milan, criticized the team's recent performances. He specifically focused on what he described as a "tired" display in the derby match against rivals AC Milan. Moratti also addressed the "negativity" evident during the Coppa Italia clash against Como, noting that the team lacked the necessary spirit and competitive tension in these major fixtures.

Moratti explained that the Milan match lacked the usual enthusiasm for such encounters, partly attributing this decline to what he called a "big failure" in handling the previous cup match. Commenting on the controversy surrounding defender Alessandro Bastoni during the Juventus match, Massimo Moratti said, "Bastoni made a big mistake, including the way he celebrated despite the sporting enthusiasm." He simultaneously affirmed that the exaggeration of the incident by fans of other clubs and Juventus officials was absurd.

The former Nerazzurri president added in his statements that merely setting aside the derby result this time would not be enough, stressing the urgent need to regain technical balance. Inter Milan currently leads Serie A by 7 points over second-placed AC Milan. However, the team has not managed to win a derby match since 2024, which presents ongoing challenges for the current squad to assert its domestic dominance.

Q&A

What did Massimo Moratti criticize about Inter Milan?

Massimo Moratti criticized Inter Milan's "tired" performance in the derby against AC Milan and their lack of spirit in the Coppa Italia. He also highlighted defender Alessandro Bastoni's "big mistake" during the Juventus match, despite acknowledging sporting enthusiasm.

How does Inter Milan's recent form affect their Serie A standing?

Inter Milan currently leads Serie A by a significant margin over second-placed AC Milan, despite their recent "tired" derby display. However, the team's inability to win a derby match since 2024 presents ongoing challenges to assert their domestic dominance.

What does Massimo Moratti believe Inter Milan needs to do next?

Massimo Moratti believes Inter Milan urgently needs to regain technical balance following their recent performances, including the derby and cup matches. He stressed that merely setting aside the derby result is insufficient for the team to overcome its current challenges.