Inter Milan Star Mirrors Legendary Juventus Captain's Antics in Derby d'Italia

Alessandro Bastoni's behavior in Saturday's match echoed Giorgio Chiellini's past actions, raising questions about sportsmanship.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In Saturday's Derby d'Italia match between Inter Milan and Juventus, Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni was accused of mimicking the controversial antics of legendary Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini. Bastoni allegedly embellished a challenge from Juventus player Pierre Kalulu, leading to Kalulu's dismissal from the match. This incident drew parallels to past occasions when Chiellini himself had been caught feigning fouls or celebrating deception on the field.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about sportsmanship and gamesmanship in professional soccer. While players may feel pressure to gain any competitive edge, actions that deceive officials and undermine the integrity of the game are widely criticized. This latest example adds to the debate around simulation, diving, and unsportsmanlike conduct, and whether more needs to be done to address these issues in the sport.

The details

According to reports, Bastoni's behavior during the match resembled actions Chiellini had taken in the past. Bastoni allegedly made referee Federico La Penna believe Kalulu had committed a foul, leading to Kalulu's second yellow card and subsequent dismissal. However, replays suggested there was little contact or recklessness in Kalulu's challenge. This decision proved highly controversial, as it shifted the balance of the match in Inter's favor. The incident drew comparisons to occasions when Chiellini himself had been caught feigning fouls or celebrating deception on the field during his illustrious career with Juventus.

  • The incident occurred during the Derby d'Italia match between Inter Milan and Juventus on Saturday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Alessandro Bastoni

An Inter Milan defender who was accused of mimicking the controversial antics of legendary Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini during Saturday's match.

Giorgio Chiellini

A legendary former Juventus captain who was known for his gamesmanship and unsportsmanlike conduct on the field, including incidents where he feigned fouls or celebrated deception.

Pierre Kalulu

A Juventus player who was dismissed from the match after Bastoni's alleged embellishment of a challenge.

Federico La Penna

The referee who made the controversial decision to issue Kalulu a second yellow card, leading to his dismissal from the match.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing debate around sportsmanship and gamesmanship in professional soccer. While players may feel pressure to gain any competitive edge, actions that deceive officials and undermine the integrity of the game are widely criticized. This latest example adds to the discussion around simulation, diving, and unsportsmanlike conduct, and whether more needs to be done to address these issues in the sport.