Inter Milan Star Calls Barcelona Wonderkid Lamine Yamal ‘The Best Player I’ve Ever Come Up Against’ – Adds ‘It’s Fundamental’ To Have Lautaro | OneFootball

Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni says Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is “the best opponent he’s ever come up against.”

Bastoni spoke to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInterNews, ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League semifinal second leg. He also stressed the “fundamental” importance of Lautaro Martinez.

Inter Milan found out firsthand why Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is so highly-rated last Wednesday.

The 17-year-old scored a stunning goal for Barcelona in the first half of the two teams’ thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of a Champions League semifinal tie.

And beyond that, Yamal was broadly simply unplayable.

The Spanish international’s pace and trickery meant that the Nerazzurri defense were unable to stop him on numerous occasions.

And now, Inter will have to do it all over again. They face Barcelona again in the second leg of the tie tomorrow.

And there is little doubt that Yamal will be the player that Inter identify as the biggest danger.

Particularly those players marking the teenage winger directly on the left side of the pitch.

Alessandro Bastoni: “Lamine Yamal The Best Player I’ve Come Up Against”

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni admitted that Yamal “is probably the best player I’ve ever come up against.”

“I’ve crossed paths with him at the Euros already,” the Italian international continued. “But now he’s risen to an even more impressive level.”

“In terms of his age and ability to create danger, he’s already one of the best players around. If not the best.”

As far as how Inter plan to stop Yamal tomorrow, Bastoni said “by doubling up, and constantly helping each other out.”

“But without going too far,” the 26-year-old warned.

“Because Barcelona also have other players of great quality. We need teamwork.”

Meanwhile, Bastoni predicted that “it will be a similar match to the first leg.”

“Between two teams with precise identities.”

The Italian international added that “I expect an open, intense, and spectacular match like the one in Barcelona.”

“We’ll have to improve in some aspects,” Bastoni added. “Because playing against them, we truly understood their level.”

Bastoni Calls Having Lautaro On The Pitch “Fundamental”

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Alessandro Bastoni also gave his thoughts on the importance of having Inter captain Lautaro Martinez fit.

“Lautaro is our leader,” said the Italian international.

“Having him on the pitch would be fundamental.”

“But if he doesn’t manage to be there, I’m sure whoever replaces him will be up to the task. That’s the strength of our group.”

And of the atmosphere at the San Siro, Bastoni said that Inter are “proud.”

‘”It doesn’t happen often that you play in a Champions League semifinal. And to be able to do so again after three years makes me very happy.”

“There’s tension,” Bastoni admitted. “But above all, there’s joy at experiencing such an important evening.”

“I don’t know if it will be the last European semifinal of my career. So I want to enjoy it to the fullest.”