Realistic Bastoni warning 'Inter not the same as in Champions League Finals' of 2023 and 2025

'We are no longer the team that reached two Finals. ' It kicks off at San Siro on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

Hosting Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk therefore feels like a must-win encounter. Bastoni sees Inter issues MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 08: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid scores his team's first goal under pressure from Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.

and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. "I would just like to say on a personal note that we need to be realistic.

It has been a long time since we reached the two Champions League Finals, we are no longer the same team, so we've got to get our feet on the ground. The Champions League is a dream, just as it was when we reached the Final twice in recent years.

If there is an opportunity, we will try to take it, but this is the situation today and we must recognise that." MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 13: Nicolo Barella and Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Club Brugge KV at Stadio San Siro on October 13, 2026 in Milan, Italy. That result also prompted the exit of coach Simone Inzaghi, with Cristian Chivu immediately taking them to the domestic double of the Scudetto and Coppa Italia.

However, Chivu's Champions League record has been dismal, with five wins and seven defeats. "I don't think it's due to the system, the coach or any other external factors, but it's down to those who step onto the field," confessed Bastoni.

"I think it is all about mentality, maybe we've been a bit superficial, or having an off day. We've all got to be honest and take our share of the responsibility, as if we analyse the bad starts, we often have individual errors.

When it happens this often, it tends to be a mixture of variables causing it, but analysing with the coach we have rarely conceded on the counter-attack. Instead, we let in a lot of goals due to individual errors.

However, I never saw the team go out there lacking concentration."