Chivu: "The derby is a special match, but we just need to focus on being ourselves"

It's the eve of AC Milan vs. Inter on matchday 28 of the 2025/26 Serie A season. The Nerazzurri are gearing up to take to the pitch at San Siro, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45 CET on Sunday 8 March.

Ahead of the derby, Inter coach Cristian Chivu spoke to the media at the BPER Training Centre in Appiano Gentile:

The reverse fixture against AC Milan marked a turning point, with 14 wins in the following 15 games. What does tomorrow's game mean in light of the progress made since then? "It's a derby, and we all know what it represents for two strong teams from the same city, both with big ambitions. We need to build on everything we've done well so far, stay competitive, and play at our best to show the growth we’ve demonstrated over the past few months."

With two possible positive outcomes, what approach will you take for the match? Is trying to manage the game more of an advantage or a risk? "We can't change what's been working for us, or our identity. We need to read the key moments of the game and handle them in the correct way, without losing what has brought us this far and helped us get good results."

How is the team physically? In particular, is Calhanoglu ready to start? "The team is doing quite well. After the match in Como, the players trained hard. Today, we had an issue with Thuram, who has a bit of a fever and didn't train with us. We hope he'll be 100% tomorrow and able to join the group. Calhanoglu is showing signs of improvement physically: the hour he played in Como was useful, and we'll see if he's ready to start tomorrow."

How important will the psychological aspect be in this match, considering Inter haven't won a derby in almost two years? "Since the start of the year, we've worked a lot on the mental preparation for every game, regardless of the opponent. I believe we've grown a lot in this regard: we now approach matches differently and don't underestimate or overestimate anyone. What matters is managing who we are and what we want to do. We're facing a strong team who have enjoyed an impressive season so far and have top-level players. But we need to focus on being the best version of ourselves."

Your opponents say this is the match of their lives. What response do you expect from your team? "I expect belief, composure and consistency, building on all the good work we've done in recent months. We shouldn't dwell on stats from the past two years, but focus on our growth this season. In the last three months, we've accomplished important things and proven we can overcome difficulties, like after the game against Bodo. This squad has developed a strong mental belief."

AC Milan tend to struggle against teams that defend deep. Could that also be a solution for Inter? "During matches, the key is always the different moments of the game. Sometimes your opponent forces you to drop deeper, like in the reverse fixture. It's not so much about the initial approach, but about reading the game and understanding when to defend deeper and when to raise the tempo. We won't approach the game passively – that's not part of our identity. But we've improved a lot in how we manage the different phases of a match."

How do you assess Esposito ahead of such an important derby? "Esposito is fortunate to have teammates who give him a sense of calm. But it's also his own quality that makes the difference: he has a great work ethic and is having an impressive season for a player who was in Serie B last year. He's putting up impressive numbers, is strong with his back to goal, helps the team move up the pitch, fills the box well, and is very dangerous. Despite his young age, he's very mature, and we're pleased with what he's doing."

Compared to the reverse fixture, how have Inter changed? "You can always learn from defeats because they allow you to analyse mistakes and grow. In the league, especially after that match, we've seen clear progress. We've learned how to manage the different phases of a game and maintain focus for the full 90 minutes. From there, an important run of results began."

Was that defeat the turning point of the season? "I think the turning point actually came earlier, after the loss to Napoli. The derby was more a result of an unlucky moment. The team's progress was already evident before that."

What's your opinion of Allegri and his style of football? "I'm the last person who should talk about Allegri. He's won six league titles and countless trophies. As coaches, we can only learn from him. I'm also fortunate to know him and have spoken with him several times. He's someone who understands football and knows how to handle important situations."

Could the system used against Como, with one striker and two attacking midfielders, be used again? "It's a solution that can be used. In that match, it was also linked to absences and the need to prepare for a team that looked to crowd the midfield. It could be used again in the future, but it requires more work in training."

How is Lautaro handling this period off the pitch? "He's improving and trying to recover as quickly as possible. He's always present with us and helps the team off the pitch, too. Today, he was at lunch with us, which shows the leadership of a captain who cares deeply about the group and what we’ve built."

How is Dumfries? Could he start? "He's doing better. He played a few minutes against Bodo and about half an hour in Como. You can see he was out for three months and still lacks match rhythm, but he's improving every day. He needs minutes to get back to full fitness, and we're happy to have him available again because he's a very important player." Do players with particularly strong ties to Inter, like Dimarco or Barella, experience the derby differently? "They're professionals and all of them know what it means to play a derby. Beyond which team they support or where they come from, what matters is professionalism and respect for their teammates and the club. We need to show maturity and competitiveness."

How is Bastoni dealing with the whistles from the crowd? "It's something beyond our control. It's a shame, because football should remain a game. Bastoni, however, is strong and mature. He knows how much his teammates count on him and how much we need him. Even with the whistles in Lecce and Como, his performances have been outstanding. That's a testament to his character and shows his strength."