Giuseppe Cruciani has criticised Lele Adani for accusing unnamed journalists of defending “the indefensible”, arguing that the former Italy international has failed to explain what the phrase means or who it targets.
Speaking on the Numerone podcast, Cruciani rejected Adani’s comments on Domenica Sportiva, where he referred to “journalist friends” who defend “the indefensible”. Adani has regularly criticised Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, as well as media figures who support him.
Cruciani said the accusation suggested journalists were protecting something for their own interests without a clear reason.
“On the Domenica Sportiva programme, someone said that some people – what was his wording? – he said, ‘journalist friends’. Those journalist friends who defend ‘the indefensible’,” Cruciani said.
“Do you know how serious this is? It is as if someone has to defend something for their own self-interest, without even knowing why. But what exactly does ‘indefensible’ mean? It is as if that thing is the bane of Italian football. This kind of thing is outrageous.”
He then directed a more forceful response at Adani, saying neither Allegri nor the journalists being criticised had been identified by name.
“In other words, he does not mention Massimiliano Allegri by name, nor does he name those he attacks and accuses, and I am among them,” Cruciani said.
“Yet he slanders others on Italian public television, saying that there is a group of people defending ‘the indefensible’, as if we are defending the evils of Italian football. Screw you! Come on! I am clearly saying ‘screw you’.”
Cruciani also questioned why he and other journalists should be linked to the defence of something Adani considers beyond defence.
“Why should someone be associated with those who defend ‘the indefensible’? Who are they?” he said.
He acknowledged that he and others had criticised Allegri over comments involving Paulo Dybala, Roma and the Champions League, but said that did not clarify the wider accusation.
“And this time, we also criticised Massimiliano Allegri because he said something stupid about Dybala, Roma and the Champions League,” Cruciani added.
“As for the so-called ‘indefensible’, what exactly is it? An outdated playing style, which he has clearly changed? What is it? I really want to know what ‘the indefensible’ is. They need to explain to me clearly what ‘the indefensible’ means.”
