Cristian Chivu heads into Sunday’s Milan derby looking to exorcise a personal hoodoo, and to close a circle that has been open since Inter’s frustrating defeat to their city rivals back in November.
According to Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, that night on November 23rd, when Inter dominated but fell to their crosstown rivals at home, proved to be the last time Chivu’s side tasted defeat.
Since then, fourteen wins and one draw against Napoli have followed, building the commanding lead that makes Sunday such a significant occasion.
Nearly a full round of fixtures later, Inter have the chance to complete the job against the same opponent who inflicted that early setback.
Inter & Chivu Must Break From Derby Cycle To Conquer Milan
The broader derby record has been a thorn in Inter’s side.
Despite beating Juventus to erase that particular hoodoo, the Milan derby remains a stubborn taboo.
Inter have not won one since they won their second star.
Chivu will be determined to change that.
Although his personal history in this fixture does not make for comfortable reading.
As a player, Chivu faced Milan ten times in an Inter shirt.
Indeed, winning four, losing five and drawing one, with a further four matches missed through injury.
As a coach, his only previous derby ended in defeat in the first encounter of this season.
Sunday represents only his second opportunity to get that monkey off his back.
The timing could not be more significant.
A win would put the Scudetto almost completely out of Milan’s reach.
And, finally, lay the derby demons to rest.