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. We’ll try again tomorrow, with six league matches left and then the cup to come. We have to be proud of what we’ve 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 team’s 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. It’s 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 we’ve 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 it’s 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 didn’t take it well, but football isn’t life, it’s 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 shouldn’t be offended if your team doesn’t make it, you should just respect and credit those who give everything to get there." How is Bastoni doing both mentally and physically? "I’d like to draw a line under this. For the past month, he’s received criticism instead of being recognised, which he deserves, as both a person and a player for everything he’s 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 he’s done. Physically, he’s dealing with an ankle issue, he's not 100% and he hasn’t been able to train properly for about a month. But at this stage of the season, nearing the end of April, it’s not realistic to expect a full physical recovery. What he needs now is trust and to feel part of the group, even if he’s not at his best. He’s always available and always tries to help. Tomorrow he won’t be in the squad, he’ll 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, he’s 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 he’s back playing. I’d 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 isn’t easy, but he’s on the right path. My advice is to keep smiling, keep loving the game, and move forward with belief, even when things don’t go as planned. He’s 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. He’s 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 I’m definitely not naïve. 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. I’ve never created controversy, I’ve never hidden behind anything, I’ve never spoken about referees, and I’ve always tried to stay balanced. If I’m no longer good enough for some people despite being consistent, then that’s 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 I’ll also speak about referees. But I never said I would be the first to do it, I just wanted to make that clear." There’s talk that this is a poor, mediocre league, maybe to downplay Inter’s run. How much does that bother you? "It’s 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, I’d be happy to always be in a ‘mediocre’ 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."