Cristian Chivu emphasizes the importance of ambition and focus ahead of Inter Milan's match against Cagliari. He reflects on team performance, player health, and the significance of maintaining a positive mindset.
Key points
Chivu discusses the importance of ambition for Inter Milan.
Bastoni is not fully fit and will miss the upcoming match.
Chivu addresses the misinterpretation of his previous comments.
Filippo Serantoni's return to football is celebrated by Chivu.
Mentioned in this story
Cristian Chivu
Inter MilanCagliariAlessandro BastoniFilippo Serantoni
Chivu:
Chivu: "Proud of ourselves, we need to keep up our ambition"
One day to go until Inter vs. Cagliari, on matchday 33 of Serie A. The Nerazzurri are in action at San Siro on Friday 17 April at 20:45 CEST.
Ahead of the game, head coach Cristian Chivu spoke at his press conference live from the BPER Training Centre:
What will it take against Cagliari to replicate the last two performances?"We have performed well before our last two games too, but ultimately results and where you are in the season matter. Weāll try again tomorrow, with six league matches left and then the cup to come. We have to be proud of what weāve done, keep the right spirit and ambition, and keep pushing to be our best version and pick up another three points."Is staying focused the key factor behind this teamās response in the last two games?"We have always tried to stay focused on the pitch, to be aware of the importance of every game, depending on the moment of the season. Itās about being ready physically and mentally, reading the different phases of the match, and understanding what the opponent is doing so we can adapt our approach accordingly. At times weāve done very well, at others less so, sometimes because of a drop in energy or missing players who could have changed the game, but the commitment has always been there, as in the last two matches. After the international break, with all its demands and responsibilities, everyone came back fully focused on our goals. After putting any disappointment behind us the goal has been to push on and stay competitive right to the end."What was behind the comments after the Como game?"Some people don't understand irony and itās probably better to not overthink it. We live in a world where too many things are taken too seriously and, at the same time, treated too superficially. A lot gets reported in the wrong way, or shaped by agendas, relationships, or the need to defend one side or another. What I said was meant as a joke, but there was also a bit of truth in it. People have been talking about Champions League qualification for the teams behind us, and I said it with a smile. Maybe some didnāt take it well, but football isnāt life, itās just a game, and it should be treated with a bit of humour too. Some teams try to go all the way and win, others try but fall short. You shouldnāt be offended if your team doesnāt make it, you should just respect and credit those who give everything to get there."
Q&A
What did Cristian Chivu say about Inter's performance against Cagliari?
Chivu highlighted the need for the team to maintain their ambition and focus to replicate their recent performances.
How is player Alessandro Bastoni's condition ahead of the match?
Bastoni is dealing with an ankle issue and will not be in the squad as he works on his recovery.
What was Chivu's reaction to criticism of his comments after the Como game?
Chivu mentioned that his comments were meant humorously and expressed disappointment over how they were interpreted.
What is the significance of Filippo Serantoni's return to the pitch?
Serantoni's comeback after a serious accident symbolizes resilience and ambition, inspiring both Chivu and the team.
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How is Bastoni doing both mentally and physically?
"Iād like to draw a line under this. For the past month, heās received criticism instead of being recognised, which he deserves, as both a person and a player for everything heās given in recent weeks. He made himself available for the national team even after spending days on crutches, he showed up, put himself on the line and tried to help the team. We should be proud of what heās done. Physically, heās dealing with an ankle issue, he's not 100% and he hasnāt been able to train properly for about a month. But at this stage of the season, nearing the end of April, itās not realistic to expect a full physical recovery. What he needs now is trust and to feel part of the group, even if heās not at his best. Heās always available and always tries to help. Tomorrow he wonāt be in the squad, heāll stay out to recover from the ankle issue and work on getting back to full fitness."
Where do you feel you have reached in your personal journey?
"I'm improving and learning every day. Every day I wake up and try to be self-critical in order to learn from my mistakes, and I hope I haven't made too many but of course I have made some. I'm constantly aiming to learn and grow from both a professional and human perspective, especially in understanding how to deal with the players and they care they need. You have to also adjust your priorities accordingly depending on context, even the media context surrounding an individual. It's not easy, people often look at things superficially, and negativity sells headlines. Sometimes there's more focus on superficiality and not what's beneath the surface. My job is to make them feel valued and supported so they can act in a way that earns respect from their teammates. I am who I am and I follow my own path to avoid repeating mistakes. Experience comes from the journey and from making mistakes, but always with the ambition of being better than the day before."
Inter youth player Filippo Serantoni has a remarkable story, heās back on the pitch after a serious accident, wearing a protective headguard. How did that story make you feel?
"He even scored last Sunday. I have to say I was one of the first to hear what had happened, and one of the first to call him. I also made sure to speak with his father and his family, especially since I had just arrived at Inter when the accident happened, we also invited him here. I spoke with him, and it was great to see a young player with ambition and a smile, and a strong desire to get back on the pitch. I gave him some advice on the type of headguard to use and how to wear it, and told him to have the courage not to dwell on what happened. The most important thing is that heās back playing. Iād even suggest trimming the ear covers so he can hear his teammates better. The greatest joy is always getting back to playing football. When you have that hunger and desire, going through something like this isnāt easy, but heās on the right path. My advice is to keep smiling, keep loving the game, and move forward with belief, even when things donāt go as planned. Heās already fortunate to have been given another chance in life to show the kind of person and professional he wants to become."
How are Lautaro and Bisseck doing?
"Bisseck has already got back to work, and he will soon rejoin the group. Lauti is on the right track, next week I think he'll be more involved. It's just a matter of days. Bisseck will be back with the squad in two days, Lautaro in a week or so. Heās improving and doing very well."
Has Chivu changed in recent times, or is it others who now see him differently?
"I can be many things, but Iām definitely not naĆÆve. Life has taught me to adapt depending on the context and the narrative, especially in a leadership role with this group. At the start, I tried to communicate things in a certain way, but things have changed because everything around us has changed too, including expectations. At the beginning, we were supposed to finish eighth and I was meant to be gone straight away, with even a list of replacements already out there. Instead, we carried on because these players have always shown the ambition to compete while staying true to who they are as people. Things shifted, I think, after the Juventus game, when everything turned into a kind of media trial against Inter and one of our players, and the narrative changed. Iāve never created controversy, Iāve never hidden behind anything, Iāve never spoken about referees, and Iāve always tried to stay balanced. If Iām no longer good enough for some people despite being consistent, then thatās not my concern. I work for the people who support me, not for approval from everyone. Before the Juventus game, I said that when I see a coach admit something went in their favour, then Iāll also speak about referees. But I never said I would be the first to do it, I just wanted to make that clear."
Thereās talk that this is a poor, mediocre league, maybe to downplay Interās run. How much does that bother you?
"Itās too easy to change your opinion depending on how the table looks. A few weeks or months ago, when there were only a few points separating teams, everything was seen as competitive. Now, depending on the standings, the same league suddenly becomes mediocre or competitive again. Honestly, Iād be happy to always be in a āmediocreā league like this, because I know I have a great club backing me and players who give everything. It's too easy to judge a league based on points or on the disappointment of your own team."
