Chivu: "Calm and humility: We deserved what we’ve had this season."

It’s almost time for the Coppa Italia final: Inter will face Lazio on Wednesday at 21:00 CEST at the Stadio Olimpico in the decisive game of the domestic cup.

In Rome, on the eve of the match, Inter coach Cristian Chivu discussed the clash against the Biancocelesti:

What aspects of Saturday’s game are most useful for tomorrow? "They are two different games. There are downsides to playing the same opponent twice in a short space of time. Firstly, because some might think Saturday was easy, but then Lazio will have extra motivation for the final. We have to stay humble and have the right attitude. At the same time, we should remember that we have earned the Scudetto and our place in the Coppa Italia final, which we want to honour to the best of our ability. Thuram is feeling better; he trained with us today, and we’ll assess him again tomorrow.”

How have you dealt with defeats differently than you used to? “I can’t speak for others, but if you’re referring to Mario Cecchi, I don’t think he said that. I believe he said we handled things well, without making comparisons. In any case, credit always goes to the players, who have consistently shown resilience and kept their heads up, both in training and from one match to the next. A season is made up of both highs and lows, and you have to accept with humility that there’s always work to do and room to improve, you can’t be perfect all the time. The goal is not to overreact, either in mindset or behaviour. We have strong values that have carried us through the season, and that applies to both the staff and the players.”

What will it take to win the double? “We shouldn’t be fixated on this idea. We’ve earned this season, and we need to keep the same clarity and approach. We have to stay calm, keep a smile on our faces, and play with the desire to enjoy it, without losing the enthusiasm and humility that have defined us so far.”

How much could this final affect how happy you are with the season you’ve had? “For me, it doesn’t change anything. I’m happy for the players and because I found a team are just as ambitious as me and want to compete at a high level. That was clear from the start, even from Lauti’s famous interview in America. I already felt it then. Many of the players in this squad have that same drive, that is their strength. They understand what we represent as a team and as a Club, a Club that has built something important throughout its history and in recent years as well, reaching three European finals, winning so much, and always staying competitive. That’s exactly what I wanted. We win and lose together, everything is done united, and we always stick together.”

What do you think you have given to the team? “I have drawn on my experience as a player and a coach at this club to give the team ambition. I know what it means to represent a team like Inter and the pressure that comes with it. There is always a negative side to that, and I have always tried to calm them from a human point of view and help manage the frustration that often comes from outside, so we can stay competitive. I work with a group of great men and genuine people who enjoy being together and always do everything to maintain the high standards they’ve shown in recent years.”