Chivu discusses poor derby record, new San Siro and Milan’s quality: “At our best”
Ahead of tomorrow’s game against AC Milan, Inter boss Cristian Chivu spoke to the media about his team’s chances.
For Inter, this is perhaps the biggest derby in the recent run. After all, they’re without a win in seven games and if they fall to defeat, they’re inviting more pressure in the title race. Right now, though, they sit in a very comfortable position.
Having dropped points once this season – a draw against Roma – they’re rightly the favourites heading into this game, especially with the injuries plaguing Ruben Amorim’s side. Nevertheless, there are never really favourites in these games.
Chivu’s pre-Milan words
Speaking before the game on Friday, Ruben Amorim spoke about a number of things, admitting that his team still needed to improve this season and he’s not the only side of the derby to say that.
In his own press conference this evening, Chivu admitted the same, as MilanVibes relayed.
How are you approaching the derby?
“We’re coming prepared and aware of how important this match is for everyone. In a derby, you shouldn’t think about the standings, but only about doing everything you can to win.
“Our approach will depend on the team’s physical and mental condition, but also on the opponent’s characteristics. We know Milan’s quality, their dribbling, and their ability to hurt us through technique and speed. We’ll have to be ready and stay calm at all times.”
Seven derbies without a win…
“If we haven’t won a derby in such a long time, it means we need to ask ourselves some questions and figure out what we can improve on. I don’t think we lacked commitment, because in matches like this, incidents can also have an impact, but we definitely need to improve.
“We can’t settle for recent results, nor for last season’s, nor for what we’ve done so far this season: we need to show our best.
“The derby is a match that can give a lot to the winner and take a lot away from the loser, but we’re only at the tenth matchday, and last season’s history shows that the result of a derby doesn’t always determine what happens next.
“In a tournament, every match has its own importance. There are no favourites, and the pressure is on both teams: we need to avoid getting caught up in thoughts that only risk sapping our energy.”
On the team’s centre of gravity…
“Our pressing is often misinterpreted. We don’t go looking for a man in every area of the pitch, but rather work on references. In recent games, we’ve tried to be more organised, choosing when to attack and when to wait. We can’t have the same attitude throughout the entire match: we need to understand the moments and always find the right balance.”
The match against Venezia…
“We need to rediscover that hunger that allows us to go beyond individual qualities. We can’t think that individual talent is enough to resolve every situation. We need to be more aggressive in duels, in pressing, and in defensive runs, putting in even more sacrifice.
“This is precisely what struck me about Nicola’s Venezia: the aggressiveness with which he approached tackles and the determination to win the ball back. These are characteristics we must always have, too.”
On Thuram…
“Thuram is fine and has no energy issues. He’s a player with great leadership, capable of changing situations on the pitch and making a difference. It’s precisely this responsibility that gives him extra motivation, and I’m confident he’ll have all the energy he needs tomorrow.”
On the match against Shakhtar…
“When you’re forced to come from behind, you inevitably expend a lot more energy. It also happened against Shakhtar, when we managed to win despite being down to ten men. The game we really messed up was the one against Brugge.
“As for Venezia, there are issues we’ve addressed in the dressing room that the players are well aware of. They can’t always be 100%, but mentally they give it their all. Sometimes, though, just playing well isn’t enough: you also have to know how to sacrifice yourself and find other solutions.”
On Carlos Augusto and Bastoni…
“I have to deal with injuries and find the best combinations through rotation. The situation forces me to carefully evaluate my options: otherwise, I’d have to rely on some young players, but this type of match isn’t the ideal context for launching them.”
Will Martinez play in goal tomorrow?
“We’ll see tomorrow…”
On scoring the first goal…
“I’m not a coach who prioritizes not conceding goals at all costs. I demand balance, maturity, and the ability to read the different moments of the game from my players. It bothers me when someone tries to exploit the situation or forgets the team principles, especially when it comes to pressing, running, and sprinting: trotting along doesn’t get you anywhere.
“They say a 0-0 draw is a good result, but if you win 1-0, aren’t you still satisfied? At Inter, on the other hand, you always tend to find something wrong.”
On the new stadium…
“It’s a trick question. I know there are those who are very attached to San Siro, and I am myself, but I’m also in favor of innovation. There are fundamental aspects to consider, such as revenue and the possibility of owning a stadium.
“Nowadays, in football, without financial resources you can’t move forward. So I welcome the changes, even though I admit I have a nostalgic side too. New things can be scary at first, but once you get used to them, they can bring great satisfaction.
“As for the possibility of coaching there in 2031, I prefer not to commit myself. Leading Inter is demanding: judgments often turn into sentences, and it won’t be easy to stay that way for long. Perhaps, if the sporting culture changes, it will be different.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll get to that point with a few less gray hairs and without having to end up in the hospital…”
