On the eve of the 2025/26 Italian Super Cup semi-final match between Bologna and Inter Milan, Alessandro Bastoni and head coach Cristian Chivu attended a press conference at Al Awar Park Stadium in Riyadh to answer questions from the media.  

When asked how eager the team is to recapture the spirit that won their second star two years ago, Alessandro Bastoni said: "That desire has never disappeared. There are five or six core players in the team who have been with the club for a long time, and it's normal for them to need some help from time to time. This year, in particular, that help is especially important because it's not easy to rediscover the same passion. The motivation within the team is very strong, and we are rediscovering the secret that led us to our glorious achievements back then."  

“I think our performance so far this season has been pretty good. I’ve always been strict with myself and strived for perfection. At the same time, the team’s overall performance has been excellent, as evidenced by our league ranking, match results, and overall progress. We know there’s still room for improvement, but overall, it’s been a positive season.”  

When asked about the impact of the rumors on the team, Alessandro Bastoni said, "We don't pay too much attention to these rumors. As the coach said, we've only had two bad games this season, and solving these minor issues will further improve our performance. We are currently first in the league and in the top eight of the Champions League. I am very proud that I and my teammates have been able to respond positively to those baseless comments."  

Speaking about the importance of the Super Cup, Alessandro Bastoni said: "The Super Cup is certainly very important to me, as we only need two games to win the trophy. But it is also a challenge. Winning the trophy brings passion and confidence, which has a positive impact on the entire season. The participating teams are all very strong; for example, Bologna has given us a lot of trouble in recent years. However, we are eager to win, and that desire is very strong."  

“After the intense competition of last season, starting over is not easy. Head coach Cristian Chivu helped us regain our confidence and inspired our desire to return to the field. Psychologically, it is not easy to start over and strive to achieve all our goals, and Chivu has given us tremendous support.”  

“These kinds of matches are a form of preparation. The players are full of enthusiasm and eager to win. We know Bologna will give it their all and fight hard in every match. Tomorrow, our goal is to at least keep up with their pace. If we can do that, we have a great chance of winning.”