Inter coach Cristian Chivu has issued a clear warning: his team ‘cannot lose our identity’ even though a draw would be enough against AC Milan in the race for the Scudetto. He also added that ‘we can all learn’ from Max Allegri.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled for Sunday at San Siro, kicking off at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET).
While Inter enjoys a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, their season has seen a mix of results. They were notably eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Bodo/Glimt and played out a defensive 0-0 draw in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Como on Tuesday. However, a victory tomorrow night against second-placed Milan could virtually secure the Scudetto with two months of the season remaining.
Chivu Emphasizes Inter’s Proactive Approach
“It is a derby, and we all understand its profound meaning for two strong teams in their city, both harboring significant ambitions,” Chivu stated during his press conference. “We must continue our excellent run, striving to be competitive and exploring variations that allow us to perform even better on the pitch.”
Given Inter’s substantial advantage, a draw could be perceived as a successful outcome. However, the coach firmly rejects this mindset.
“We absolutely cannot change our identity, the one we have cultivated since the very beginning. We simply need to comprehend the various phases of the match, without abandoning the approach that has brought us these results so far.”
Inter has maintained an unbeaten record in Serie A since their last derby loss to rivals Milan, a 1-0 defeat on November 23. This impressive streak includes a 2-2 draw with Napoli and an astounding 14 consecutive victories.
“Since the start of this year, we’ve made significant improvements and adopted a different approach to games, ensuring we neither underestimate nor overestimate any opponent,” Chivu insisted.
“What truly matters is our determination, how we control the game. I believe the ambitions we have rightfully built for ourselves this season allow us to play without undue pressure, even as we acknowledge facing a formidable opponent. Milan possesses top individual talent, but we must bring the best version of ourselves to the pitch. I expect consistency in all the positive aspects of our play and a strong reaction to any setbacks or disappointments, such as the Bodo game.”
“This team possesses the unwavering belief to approach every match in the same manner. We must also meticulously avoid errors that could play directly into Milan’s strengths, but that doesn’t imply adopting a passive stance.”
When asked if the prior defeat to Milan served as a catalyst for Inter’s season, given their subsequent unbeaten run including eight consecutive wins, Chivu responded: “I don’t think that specific match was the trigger. The real turning point occurred after our 3-1 defeat to Napoli. The derby was simply an unfortunate incident that went against us, but our improvement was already evident before then.”
Max Allegri had previously expressed admiration for Chivu in his own press conference. Responding to this, the Romanian coach humbly remarked: “I am the least qualified person to speak about Max; he has won six league titles and numerous other trophies. We can all only learn from him, both as a coach and as a person. We know each other well and had spoken when I was at Parma.”
“I am always delighted to interact with someone who profoundly understands football, who knows precisely what actions to take in various situations. He has an immense amount to teach us.”
Marcus Thuram is a doubt for the match due to flu symptoms and did not train today. With Lautaro Martinez sidelined by injury, Francesco Pio Esposito appears to be the only guaranteed starter in Inter’s attack.
“Pio is fortunate to have teammates who help him remain relaxed, but his exceptional work ethic also contributes significantly. His excellent performance this season is no mere fluke; he clearly knows how to manage pressure. He may not possess the explosive pace of Marcus or Bonny, but he excels at heading the ball down, effectively holding up play, and operating skillfully within the penalty area.”
Despite being out of action, Lautaro Martinez continues to play a pivotal role in the derby preparations. “Lautaro is with us every single day and is always ready with the right words of encouragement. His leadership as a captain, who genuinely cares about this squad, is truly evident,” Chivu added.
Denzel Dumfries has made his comeback with a couple of substitute appearances following ankle surgery and could potentially even start against Milan.
“He currently lacks full match fitness, but he’s been working diligently every day after three months out. Obviously, training differs from the intensity of a match situation, so he needs more minutes, but I’m extremely glad to have him at my disposal.”
Alessandro Bastoni has been subjected to loud jeers from opposition fans in his last two games, following a controversial incident against Juventus where his simulation led to Pierre Kalulu’s red card.
“This is something that neither he nor I can control,” Chivu concluded. “It is a direct consequence of what happened, and I anticipate it will likely persist for a while. It’s truly a pity, because we need football to remain simply a game. Ale is a human being; he understands how much his teammates rely on and need him. This collective support provides him with comfort and strength; our daily respect and encouragement help him immensely. His performances against Lecce and Como were, despite the constant jeers, very strong. It speaks volumes about his character that he can express himself at such a high level even under these challenging circumstances.”
