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Chivu: ‘Inter forced into Milan changes, but still had wrong attitude for a derby’

Inter Milan’s Cristian Chivu admitted his team’s 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina was compounded by tactical missteps and a lack of focus, despite being forced into an unconventional lineup due to a squad-wide flu outbreak. The Nerazzurri fell behind early, conceding goals from Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot within the first 10 minutes, though they managed to pull one back through Alessandro Bastoni’s header from a Hakan Çalhanoğlu corner.

Chivu revealed key players like Pio Esposito and Bonny were unwell, leading to last-minute changes, including deploying Petar Šćukić and Andy Diouf in advanced roles in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Despite a late opportunity to level the score, Inter’s defensive errors handed Milan a third goal before halftime, leaving Inter struggling with possession and a disjointed approach to the high-stakes fixture.

The defeat marks Chivu’s third loss as Inter coach in the Derby della Madonnina, a record he described as painful given the match’s significance. He criticized his team’s mental resilience, noting they failed to capitalize on chances and lacked the determination needed against their city rivals.

With another critical game looming in three days, Chivu emphasized the need for immediate improvement in both tactical execution and competitive mindset to avoid further setbacks in Serie A.

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