Chivu: Inter's changes were forced, but the derby mentality was wrong

Inter coach Cristian Chivu explained that the unusual lineup choices in the Madonnina derby against Milan were made necessary by a flu outbreak. Chivu argued that his team's collapse at the start of the match was the result of the wrong approach. For Chivu, who has lost all three derbies he has coached against the Rossoneri, the result is also noteworthy.

Milan took a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes through goals from Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot. Inter's only goal came from Alessandro Bastoni, who headed in a corner taken by Hakan Calhanoğlu, making it 2-1. Diego Moreira then scored from a free kick to make it 3-1. In the second half, Inter had the ball but failed to create any real chances.

Chivu said the team had to improvise because of health problems that emerged over the last two days. He said Pio Esposito was unwell, and that Bonny had a fever until the afternoon of match day and vomited throughout the night. Sucic and Diouf played in more advanced roles, and with captain Lautaro Martinez absent through injury, they lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Marcus Thuram as the only striker.

The coach admitted that the team did not produce the performance he expected and that there were shortcomings in their approach and determination. Chivu said that without Maignan's save, a 2-2 draw would also have been possible, and noted that the goal conceded at the end of the first half made the match harder. Reminding his players that an important match would be played in three days, Chivu stressed that they must put this disappointment behind them.