Italy chose to host their World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland in Bergamo instead of San Siro, a decision that Gennaro Gattuso explained was made to protect his players. The team advanced by beating Northern Ireland but then lost to Bosnia on penalties in Zenica. In that match against Bosnia, Alessandro Bastoni received a red card in the first half when Italy was winning 1-0.
Bastoni had been jeered and whistled at away games for Inter since a diving incident in the Derby d'Italia in February. After the Juventus game, Bastoni apologized at a press conference, acknowledging he exaggerated contact and calling his reaction to the red card 'really ugly'. Bastoni said he received death threats sent to his wife on social media.
A banner was hung by ultras outside Inter's training ground on Saturday with a message of support, which sources described as encouraging him to keep his head up and fear nothing with his people beside him. Milan won 1-0 against Inter in the derby on Sunday. Pervis Estupiñán, who scored the winning goal, described it as the most important goal of his career.
Milan has not lost a league game all season against any of Serie A's top six, taking 18 points from a possible 24. This is the first season since 2010-11 that Milan has swept their league meetings with Inter. Inter has taken two points from their last three league games and is winless in four if including the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg away to Como.
Francesco Pio Esposito scored a goal for Inter inside the first minute against Fiorentina. Inter remains six points clear at the top of Serie A with eight games remaining. Inter came back from two goals down to win 4-3 at Como on Sunday.
Heads up and fear nothing. You have your people beside you.
Inter moved nine points clear of Napoli after the win at Como. Napoli drew 1-1 at Parma on Sunday. Inter drew 1-1 at home against Atalanta on Saturday.
Nikola Krstović scored 1-1 for Atalanta in the second half against Inter. Inter wanted a free kick for a push on defender Denzel Dumfries before Atalanta's goal, but the goal stood after a VAR assessment. Inter coach Christian Chivu received two yellow cards for protest and was sent off during the match against Atalanta.
Milan faces Lazio on Sunday. Reactions to Bastoni's situation have been mixed, with unknowns about whether he will seek a transfer away from Italy this summer. The exact nature and severity of the death threats sent to his wife on social media are not fully disclosed.
The implications of Inter's form and VAR controversies extend beyond individual matches, affecting their title aspirations and fan confidence. The specific reasons behind Inter's recent drop in form remain unclear. How the VAR assessment justified allowing Atalanta's goal against Inter despite protests over a push on Denzel Dumfries is another unknown.
Further unknowns surround Inter's tactical issues and the impact of Christian Chivu's sending off on their performance and future matches.