Cristian Chivu cut a measured and self-critical figure after Inter Milan’s 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in Sunday’s derby, the Nerazzurri’s second consecutive loss in the fixture and their first league defeat in 15 matches.
The gap at the top of Serie A has been cut to seven points, and Inter missed their chance to deliver a decisive blow in the title race.
However, the Inter coach refused to let the result spiral into a crisis, immediately pointing to the ten games and thirty points that remain.
Speaking to DAZN, via FCInterNews, Chivu was unflinching in his analysis of a flat first half that handed Milan the platform for their victory.
“We had a below-par first half and conceded their goal. In the second half we raised the tempo and tried to do better, we had some chances and tried to surround their low block by changing the system too, but we could not equalise.”
On the difficulty Inter faced when reaching the byline without threatening, Chivu was candid.
“We arrived at the byline without having a good opportunity, a free ball to play into the box. The crosses became target practice for their defenders because we could never get ahead of the ball and strike it. But I repeat, it was a below-par first half without dynamism. They waited deep and looked to hit on the counter. We need to raise our level while continuing to do the good things we have done up to now.”
Milan 1-0 Inter – Chivu Accepts Responsibility For Derby Defeat
When pressed on whether the attacking display surprised him given the quality Inter normally produce even in defeat, Chivu accepted responsibility but refused to use his forwards as a scapegoat.
“We could and should have done better. The game always passes through the work of the attackers and today they were lacking, especially in the first half. But it is not an excuse. I am happy with what they tried to do, having only those two available. For a young player, playing these matches is always a good experience. We should have done better and taken the chances that did not go our way.”
On the controversial Ricci handball incident in the closing stages, Chivu closed the door firmly.
“For me there is a VAR and an AVAR who I believe made a check, I have nothing to say about it. I am thinking about the performance, about what we could have done better and about my own mistakes. We have ten games and thirty points to play for. We must march on and take what we have built.”
Asked whether he considered making a more attacking substitution earlier, the Inter coach was equally firm. “This was not the match to remove certainties from our group.”
On the significance of the next fixture against Atalanta, Chivu offered the line that best encapsulated his mindset.
“It is always seven points, we must continue with our performances. A different result tonight wouldn’t have changed much.”
Speaking separately to Inter TV, Chivu was equally direct.
“It is a disappointment. We had a mirrored first half but they were better at scoring. We could and should have done better, the attackers needed to produce good work but we were not able to create it. Today it was not enough, but let us not forget everything good we have done up to now. We must be the best version of ourselves and think about winning the next one. No calculations now, the next game must be won.”
I dont understand why Chivu dont play Carlos Augusto in place of Luis Henrique? Inzaghi used to rotate him at the wings. These days he comes in as a CB for some reason. Felt he’s a much better choice than Henrique. Odd
Chivu is a modern day Mancini
barely winning the league
sucks ahh at the champions league
sucks dih at big games
small team merchants
Our players body language suggest weak mentality, they all look so insecure. This Milan team is the worst we’ve faced in the past 40 years yet we managed to lose. 100 years old Modric looked like he was in his prime against our midfield.
To be honest, from players all the way to the management and ownership Inter look lost, and without clear idea for present or future.
By the way, ever since Conte left this team is overperforming. We can all hate him but he was the last coach who had the clear idea how to build a team and he had balls to request for certain players.
All of a sudden, we have hoarded a bunch of losers just like 12-13 years ago when we were also a clueless club and when we signed Taider, Belfodil, Schelotto…
A good investment in one good player (once a year) can make a difference. Every team in Italy got at least one good player last transfer window, it’s only us who wasted our CL money on a garbage players. Why couldn’t we get DeBruyne or Malen, heck we could have also signed Modric who clearly looks better than all our midfielders.
Also, our youth team is being missmanaged ever since it exists. We keep wasting money instead of giving more space to our own young players.
Most importanly, this team need an ambitious ownership and proper management.
Agree..They all look so timid, its describe how weak their mentality. when get stuck we have no creativity to find way out..How can we win the game with this tempo of play
Our players body language suggest weak mentality, they all look so insecure. This Milan team is the worst we’ve faced in the past 40 years yet we managed to lose. 100 years old Modric looked like he was in his prime against our midfield.
To be honest, from players all the way to the management and ownership Inter look lost, and without clear idea for present or future.
By the way, ever since Conte left this team is overperforming. We can all hate him but he was the last coach who had the clear idea how to build a team and he had balls to request for certain players.
All of a sudden, we have hoarded a bunch of losers just like 12-13 years ago when we were also a clueless club and when we signed Taider, Belfodil, Schelotto…
A good investment in one good player (once a year) can make a difference. Every team in Italy got at least one good player last transfer window, it’s only us who wasted our CL money on a garbage players. Why couldn’t we get DeBruyne or Malen, heck we could have also signed Modric who clearly looks better than all our midfielders.
Also, our youth team is being missmanaged ever since it exists. We keep wasting money instead of giving more space to our own young players.
Most importanly, this team need an ambitious ownership and proper management.
Discgraceful loss, no heart , no grinta no nothing. Shame on Chivu and all the players for not honouring the shirt. Mazzaris Inter would done much better.
High line doesn’t work vs good teams.
I’ll take this scudetto if we do end up winning it and I’ll be happy for the team but I truly don’t think we deserve it. I don’t like the way we play especially against big teams, it’s just too predictable. I know Chivu doesn’t have the players to play this system so I don’t want to fault him too much. We lack any sort of creativity, we can only beat small teams this way. Any organized team just shuts us down and makes us play through the flanks
It’s clear Allegri targeted Henrique because he’s such low level player especially in attacking phase. Dumfries was fit enough however Chivu is just stubborn to think Henrique can offer to the required standards despite failing so many times. The match against Pisa showed the guy is there to make it 11 vs 11 and offers nothing. If Dimarco doesn’t perform Inter are screwed. Chivu seems to not learn from his mistakes and he will be the first person to push for Henrique to stay at Inter
I rather have Dumfries for the rest of the season rather had him play 90 minutes just to injured him again.
That’s why coaches get paid he knows full well stopping Milan from winning means the Scudetto is secured and playing safe means a slip will come. A safe option was Henrique but a Dumfries options mean Milan are in a lot of trouble from minute 1 with both Dimarco and Dumfries. Like how many times Henrique was simply too scared to cross and when Dumfries came on he actually delivered the only decent cross inside the box. Plus his physicality in winning headers is just top level something that Henrique can only dream about. For me the loss is 100% on Chivu for not using his biggest weapons to hurt Milan. Dumfries was Inter’s best player last season and this season it’s Dimarco and Chivu knows this so why not hurt Milan first and disrupt their gameplan. He keeps falling into the traps of much smarter coaches than him and it’s clearly shows even when he wants to defend deep everyone has seen just how bad Henrique is at marking his opponents so why use him when Darmian can also play who’s much more defensive.
we can play carlos as backup . several time in inzaghi era
Dumfries is not 100% fit. A fit dumfries would’ve mowed down the right especially it’s “only” estupinan. but I do agree, they targeted Henrique, EVERYONE targeted henrique, I’ve been saying, if we have striker crisis, why don’t play henrique behind Pio, let him be our Lookman.
i’m still surprised that Henrique getting chance week in week out when Kamate proved that he can play that role well with our right back got issues smh a very stubborn coach and if this is how he is going to operate next season then we should brace ourselves
lebih baik kalah setengah lusin dgn tim lain daripada kalah dgn sebiji gol dgn sang rival karena itu sangat menyakitkan
lol Allegri just admitted he had instructed his players to take advantage of Henrique’s defensive weakness.
Are you the same person as the guy on SempreMilan.com that always comments about Inter?
You should have instructed the players to not leave so much space behind. Allegri outcoached you and defeated you twice with the excatly same tactics.
A draw was all what we needed. We had in attack 2 guys with little experience who were starting their first game together. Playing a more defensive game should have been the obvious plan.