Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu hit back at biased media after Saturday’s controversial victory over Juventus.
During today’s press conference via FCInterNews, the 45-year-old coach addressed the Derby d’Italia scandal.
Cristian Chivu posted his first high-profile Serie A win in charge of the Nerazzurri as Inter edged Juventus 1-0 at San Siro.
However, a first-half incident involving Alessandro Bastoni and Pierre Kalulu cast a shadow on Chivu’s success.
Indeed, the Italian center-back faked a contact with the Frenchman, who had been on a yellow card, to get him sent off.
Meanwhile, referee Federico La Penna bought what Bastoni was selling, removing the Bianconeri defender from the game.
That decision changed the game’s dynamics, putting Inter in pole position to avenge a 4-3 defeat in September’s reverse fixture.
Still, Chivu’s side left it late to overcome 10-man Juventus, as Piotr Zielinski’s last-gasp winner fired them to a crucial triumph.
Inter Milan Boss Cristian Chivu Fires Back at Alessandro Bastoni Critics
Inter will take on Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoff tie tomorrow.
With the first leg taking place in Norway, Chivu wants his team to bring their A-game to the table.
“This is a different competition,” Chivu said. “We all know the importance of this match.
“So far in the Champions League, we have done quite well.
“But, unfortunately, we have to go through the playoffs against a tough team that has troubled Man City and Atletico.
“They’re a tough team, with a club that is growing, just like Norwegian football as a whole.”
Asked about Luciano Spalletti’s comments, Chivu replied: “I don’t respond to what others say, I just give my opinion.
“I’m here to say what I think and what I see. And I don’t care about what is said in press conferences, where there is a bit of frustration that isn’t able to be managed.
“You have to accept criticism and that the team at the top of the table is always the most hated and criticized. Football has always been like this.
“There are episodes that go in your favor or against you, but we must stop complaining and stop moralism. These are things that happen every Sunday, ever since Maradona scored with his hand.
“Against Napoli, we suffered a wrong, and I say it here for the first time, but none of you said anything.
“Let’s move forward, aware that the season is still long. We want to continue being competitive, without hearing how we were defined at the beginning of the season.
“This reaction arrived in February, and maybe someone isn’t happy with us being at the top of the table.”
Inter Milan Coach Cristian Chivu Addresses Alessandro Bastoni Dive
There’s no doubt that Bastoni’s theatrical dive tricked La Penna into showing Kalulu a red card.
Therefore, it’s barely surprising that Juventus fans have identified the 26-year-old as the main culprit for the Derby d’Italia loss.
However, Chivu has a different opinion.
“Why is football the most beloved sport despite everything? Do we love the sport or not? We like controversy and criticism.
“If important measures had been taken 50 years ago, perhaps what we see today wouldn’t be happening.
“Football is the number one sport: Why? When we have an answer, football will probably improve.”
Meanwhile, Inter will face Bodo/Glimt on the synthetic pitch, which could pose an issue.
“There is concern,” Chivu admitted. “The fixture list is congested, and there are many matches. You don’t get used to it, but you don’t stay surprised either.
“Miracles are not guaranteed but mentally we will be ready to battle against a team that has achieved great results and is an ambitious club.
“They have nothing to lose, they start as underdogs, and they will give their all to put us in difficulty. But we will also be ready to do the same, to try to adapt to the game. We will be ready for 180 minutes.
“It’s snowing in Italy too. Let’s focus on the strength of Bodo, we know it won’t be easy. There are many excellent players, we need to be ready.”
A little off topic…bastoni strikes again. This time the innocent cabal got sent off. Chielini went home to check if mauro is sleeping with his wife and missed it. The circus is complete. But not over yet.
Waiting for them to blame the ref for the loss again. lol
It seems that Inter will be the only Italian team in the last 16 just like last season.
Preach! Juve is just getting the karma from what theyve done. This is nothing compared to the match fixing they did.
some fork here did not see how Inter was victim of bad referees orquestered by AC and Juve. I have saw all those things because I am interista since Rummeinigge. Like said in other post, Inter should have 20- scudetto
That’s right, we’ve had so many wrongful calls and they just brush them off like nothing happened. The away game they didn’t care when we got screwed at the last minute before they scored.
Yup. And just as Chris is pointing out – we need to move on.
Now for the matter in hand.
The next 10 games (possibly 13) will be interrupted by hopefully 2 italy games. Brutall program. And the only “easy” games are away at lecce and home to genoa.
Line up include also: como (3 times), atalanta, viola, mulan, roma, the artic boys and possibly a meeting with pep. Including a busy week for the italians, hakan and zeli. Wat da fak 🙂
So as i said – brutal.
We need to keep the momentum and rack up 5 wins before mulan game.
Possibly after that there will be city, atalanta, city, viola, national team, roma, como.
The next 5 weeks will be packed with emotions. Day 4 of rube crying. Life is good
that schedule makes last years seem easy…lol
Lets remember why we are here. Because 90 mins of emotions we all know as pazza, twice a week are much more exciting than the 5 min of jumping on top of a temu podium with confetti.
The latter will be just the cherry on top. But i will not exchange those emotions week in and week out for any title. I watch my team for the joy it brings me. Not for the titles they might win. The titles are the culmination. Obviously this team is the strongest in italy for over 5 years now. They will be champions again and again before the end of dima, sandro, toro and niko careers. And to be honest…i have no doubt they will eventually win the ch.league. If not soon – then at the absolute peak of their careers. So within 4 years. Sandro will be 30 then and dima will be 32. Time flies, huh.