Alessandro Bastoni has handed Italy a badly needed dose of optimism ahead of their World Cup play-off showdown with Northern Ireland.
The Inter Milan defender, who limped out of the derby after a heavy collision with Adrien Rabiot left him nursing an ankle problem, has moved a step closer to full fitness with a significant upgrade in his training load.
From worry to cautious belief
In the days after the derby knock, the mood around Bastoni was tense. He was restricted to light work, confined mainly to running patterns and sharp changes of direction designed to probe the joint without pushing it too far. For a player central to Italy’s defensive structure, even the hint of a setback felt ominous with such a decisive international fixture looming.
The tone has shifted.
According to updates from Sky Sport, relayed via FCInter1908 and confirmed by the Italian Football Federation, Bastoni has now returned to work on the pitch with the ball. The session did not reach full intensity, but the symbolism mattered: this was no longer just rehab, it was football work again.
Crucially, the federation insists his progress remains exactly in line with the original recovery plan. No delays, no complications, no backward steps.
A defensive pillar Italy can’t easily replace
For Italy, chasing a place at the 2026 World Cup, that matters enormously. Bastoni is not simply another option at centre-back; he is a left-footed organiser, comfortable stepping into midfield, setting the line and dictating the tempo from deep. In high-stakes, tight matches, that kind of composure can tilt the balance.
A play-off against Northern Ireland promises exactly that sort of tension. Space will be scarce, nerves will be frayed, and one lapse at the back could define the night. The possibility of having Bastoni available, even if not at 100%, offers coach and teammates alike a measure of calm.
The improvement in his condition arrives at just the right time for a squad that knows there is no safety net. Miss out here, and the World Cup dream is gone.
Final call still to come
The medical bulletins may be upbeat, but they stop short of guaranteeing his place in the starting XI. The next training session will be decisive. Only after that final test will the staff decide whether Bastoni is ready to anchor the defence from the first whistle or must instead watch the opening phases from the bench.
Italy’s plans, shape and approach could all hinge on that verdict.
For now, one thing is clear: a few days ago, Bastoni’s involvement looked doubtful. Today, with the ball back at his feet and the clock ticking towards a make-or-break night, Italy can at least dare to picture him on the pitch when it matters most.
