Inter Coach Christian Chivu Praises Team Spirit After Derby Loss

Inter coach Christian Chivu Praises Team Spirit After Derby Loss

Inter Coach Christian Chivu Reflects on Derby della Madonnina Defeat

Inter coach Christian Chivu praised his team’s spirit despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in his first Milan derby as Inter’s head coach. The match, decided by a second-half goal from Christian Pulisic, left Inter in fourth place in Serie A with 24 points from 12 games. However, Chivu was quick to highlight the positives, emphasizing that his squad displayed the fighting mentality he wants to see as they look to stay in the Scudetto race.

Inter’s Dominance Not Reflected on the Scoreboard

Inter controlled much of the game, dominating possession with 64% and unleashing 16 shots compared to Milan’s eight. The Nerazzurri forced five saves from the Milan goalkeeper and outnumbered their city rivals in corners by a margin of 9 to 1. Yet, despite hitting the woodwork twice and missing a crucial penalty, Inter failed to find the net. Chivu expressed satisfaction with his side’s commitment: “The performance and focus were there. We didn’t suffer any counterattacks and always tried to break through. That’s the spirit I want to see.”

Chivu Refuses to Blame Yann Sommer After Inter’s Defeat

The only goal of the match came when Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer parried a shot into the feet of Pulisic, who made no mistake from close range. While some questioned Sommer’s handling, Chivu refused to place blame on the Swiss international: “I’m not talking about individuals, that’s not fair. For me, my players are the best, and I could never point the finger at anyone. We’re all in this together. We could have done better as a team, but we must focus on getting back up.”

Lautaro Martinez Substitution: Tactical, Not Personal

One of the game’s biggest talking points was Chivu’s decision to substitute Inter captain Lautaro Martinez just after the hour mark—shortly after Milan’s goal. The Argentine striker, usually a mainstay, was replaced for tactical reasons. Chivu clarified: “Lautaro is fine. It was my decision. Can’t I change players? Even those on the bench deserve to contribute. It was a technical decision and nothing else.”

Derby Defeat Leaves Inter Chasing Leaders in Serie A

This result marked Inter’s fourth defeat of the Serie A season and their third loss in the last five league games. Now three points adrift of leaders Roma, Chivu acknowledged the need for improvement: “It’s clear that four defeats in 12 games is too many. The table is very tight and we need to let go of disappointments quickly. The frustration can leave a mark, but we must move beyond it.”

He also noted areas for tactical enhancement, particularly in defense: “We attack with many men, which exposes us to counterattacks, but today we only conceded one and it proved costly. We need to better perceive danger and sometimes take a tactical yellow card.”

What’s Next for Inter and Chivu’s Expectations

Inter will look to rebound quickly, with a challenging Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid up next, followed by a vital Serie A clash against Pisa. Chivu stressed the importance of converting possession and chances into goals, as well as solidifying defensive organization: “We have to work, improve and translate our dominance into results. Every match is a chance to show our character.”

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Opinion: Chivu’s Approach Could Be Key to Inter’s Revival

Chivu’s refusal to single out individuals for blame and his commitment to fostering team spirit may prove crucial as Inter look to recover from this disappointing defeat. While the loss to AC Milan highlights areas for improvement, the overall performance suggests the foundations are strong. If Chivu can maintain this positive approach and address finishing and defensive lapses, Inter could remain strong contenders in Serie A.