Alessandro Bastoni admits he remains an Inter Milan player due to former coach Antonio Conte.

The defender is now a first-choice for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.

I spent one season at Parma and then I was lucky to find Antonio Conte here," Bastoni said according to fcinter1908.

“I pushed to leave that season because they had just signed Diego Godin and they already had Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij. I had played 25 games at Parma, a good season, but the level was different. However, Conte insisted and convinced me to stay."

He added: “Simone Inzaghi has found a perfect group. We think as a team. We learned so much from players like you [Ranocchia], Marcelo Brozovic and Samir Handanovic.

“I am happy here now. I am one of the most 'experienced' players. The Inter world is amazing, and I don't see myself elsewhere at the moment. I truly feel at home.

“We play in front of 75,000 fans, and when we go to the stadium, I see 85-90-year-old people in the crowd waiting for the team bus. The passion these people have makes me think: 'Why should I leave when I can offer a moment of joy?' I have no doubts, we are a nice group with young players like myself, Barella, Dimarco and Lautaro."