Inter, Chivu: “Thuram not fit, Lautaro must not push it. The transfer market? I’m fed up to the back teeth”

Cristian Chivu, Inter manager, spoke to DAZN and at a press conference after the win over Monza at San Siro. Here are his comments.

THE MATCH - "Credit must go to Monza, they caused us problems with their pressing and second balls: we tried to stick to the plan but there was rustiness and frenzy, not technical sharpness. We found more calm in the second half by going ahead straight away and then we rediscovered the right moves. For me they are all starters depending on the opponent and the moments: it is up to me to understand what is needed at every moment. I am pleased with everyone in the preparation and with the willingness of those who came back early from the World Cup. It's the most pleasing thing a coach can encounter," FcInter1908 report.

THURAM - "He is continuing his preparation, he had problems at the World Cup: he has made himself available to the team, he is not in condition for me to risk him for a few minutes. He understood that and we are working to get him into condition as soon as possible."

LAUTARO - "Did Lautaro insist on playing? There are certain nuances a coach has to understand: let us not forget the end of the World Cup. For me the man comes before everything else, if I can help my players I do it even if he does not need it because he is Lautaro. He does not have to insist, nobody has to do that: I understand certain moments by myself."

DIOUF - "Diouf can do better and has to do better, he was a little timid. But he has characteristics that are useful for us, he has courage, he has initiative, he has the ability to go one-on-one. There is significant room for improvement, not only from him but from the whole team. Why the crazy idea of Diouf? I do not think he has ever played as a wide player or wing-back. But he has the personality and madness to always go one-on-one. I liked him and I like him in that role, he has room to grow, he is an inverted-foot option. Today he also went on to his weaker foot, he was a little timid but also because of Monza's credit. But I am absolutely delighted to have someone with these characteristics."

PAVARD - "Pavard as a wing-back? Benji is better as the third centre-back, I never thought of him as a wing-back."

TRANSFER MARKET - "I do not talk about the transfer market, I have players who give their all, they are desperate to be competitive. The transfer market is always what it is, I cannot wait for it to end, I'm sick of answering about who is coming and who is going. The president was very clear about the rumours concerning some of our players"