Cristian Chivu experienced a night of mixed emotions at San Siro, but one that ultimately ended in celebration as Inter Milan stormed back to beat Pisa 6-2 and strengthen their grip on top spot.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, the Inter head coach reflected on a chaotic evening, took responsibility for key moments, and praised the mentality of his squad, particularly young striker Francesco Pio Esposito.
Asked about Federico Dimarco’s introduction and the dramatic shift in momentum, Chivu stressed that belief never dropped.
“I didn’t think anything special,” he explained, with quotes via FCInterNews.
“A match lasts 100 minutes and you can turn it around. You have to keep doing certain things. The approach wasn’t bad, then we scored against ourselves, but that’s my fault because I make specific demands of the goalkeeper role that put Yann in difficulty. The goal is my fault, not his.”
Inter 6-2 Pisa – Chivu On Pisa Strength & Inter Attitude
Chivu also addressed Pisa’s second goal, pointing to their physical qualities.
“Then the second goal came. Pisa have players with structure and they delivered the corner well,” he said. “After that, we brought out our pride, pushed the intensity, and turned it around before half-time.”
The Inter coach then focused on the collective response, especially from players introduced from the bench.
“What matters is attitude and mental preparation,” Chivu said.
“You know you can suffer at times. You have to be responsible for how you behave and how you react. Today we did that well despite the difficulties. We could have suffered mentally, but the team kept doing what it knows how to do.”
He also highlighted the effort shown across the group.
“Maybe there’s some regret about conceding the 4-2 late on, but hats off to these lads. They give everything they have to make this season competitive and reach our objectives.”
Inter 6-2 Pisa – Chivu: ‘Pio Esposito Wants To Prove Himself’
Chivu even found room for humour when asked about his back pain after the decisive fourth goal.
“I filled myself with cortisone,” he joked. “Tomorrow I have to spend the day with my children and my wife. They want me fresh so I can be a good husband and a good father.”
Much of the post-match focus centred on Pio Esposito, whose performances continue to grow. Chivu made it clear where the credit lies.
“The credit is theirs, in how they work and make themselves available to the group,” he said. “They know that every mistake they make is my fault, while they are the protagonists when things go well because they try to meet my demands.”
He praised Esposito’s mindset in particular.
“It’s the merit of a boy who wants to prove himself, who wants to put himself on the line and take responsibility like everyone else. If things don’t go well, it’s my fault. But I like that they follow me and want to make this season what we all hope it can be.”
Chivu On Inter Confidence & Downtime With Family
Chivu also brushed aside questions about watching rival fixtures.
“This question again…” he smiled. “I have a passion for football that goes beyond what people think. I watch a lot of matches, but tomorrow the priority is family. Recently I’ve been absent because I think too much about these wonderful lads and forget my duty as a good husband and father. Sometimes you can’t think only about football.”
Speaking separately to Inter TV, Chivu returned to the themes of maturity and growth.
“We approached the match in the right way, then the opponents came into it and we made some mistakes,” he said, with quotes again courtesy of FCInterNews.
“We did well to stay clear-headed. That comes from confidence. In the second half maybe we could have killed it earlier given the chances we created, but we take the three points.”
He underlined the significance of the comeback.
“For the first time this season, the team overturned a double deficit. That has to be highlighted. The growth we’ve shown over the last month and a half paid off in the end.”
Finally, Chivu summed up the mentality he sees within his squad. “This is a mature team that knows there are moments you have to overcome,” he concluded.
“You have to act according to the phase of the game. When you take two slaps like that, you don’t know how you’ll react, but this group knows the difficulties. My demands are always very high. You shouldn’t point fingers at individual performances. I am responsible and I put my face to it. The lads work well, and you can see it.”
Inter’s six-goal response may have stolen the headlines, but Chivu’s words revealed a deeper satisfaction.
Beyond the scoreline, he saw proof of belief, accountability and a young striker determined to prove himself at the highest level.
Bonny should be starting with Martinez
I haver been saying this for 3 months!! Bonny is the only player Inter has with dribbling abilities !!! yet that coach sits him down in the biggest champions league matches !!!!
Starting brings a whole new expectation. He has had strong moments but he’s also disappeared at times. Chivu is protecting him from those expectations for now. This league is very pessimistic right now so young players have to be shielded from the cynicism.
Credit to Chivu for understanding what was at stake. Hopefully now he will live in reality and not use Henrique anymore and forget that Acerbi will somehow turn into peak Ramos during big matches.
I think Chivu is right. Don’t make the goalkeeper like the ball provider.