Chivu: ‘Inter below par, but nothing changes’ in Scudetto battle with Milan

Cristian Chivu concedes Inter were ‘unable to break down’ the Milan defensive block, but insists ‘nothing would’ve changed even if we had won tonight’ in the Scudetto race.

The Nerazzurri could put the final nail in the coffin of the title with this showdown, but have instead seen their 10-point lead reduced to seven.

They were forced into changes on the night, as Marcus Thuram was ruled out by flu symptoms, with Lautaro Martinez also injured, so the all-new strike partnership of Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny struggled to gel.

Moments after Henrikh Mkhitaryan wasted a promising counter-attack, Inter conceded from Pervis Estupinan at the near post, surprising Luis Henrique by running onto the Youssouf Fofana assist.

Chivu recognises Inter should’ve done better

“Our first half was below par with a slow tempo, we then conceded their goal and that was a blow too,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.

“We tried to step up a gear after the break and did better in fits and starts, creating a good chance with Dimarco. We tried everything to swarm around their low defensive block, but were unable to break them down.”

Considering that Esposito and Bonny are different to the usual centre-forwards, should Inter have put more crosses into the box this evening?

“We got to the by-line, but without clear-cut situations, and then the crosses tended to be cleared by their defenders, because we never got in front of them,” replied Chivu.

“There was a lack of dynamism for us, Milan were sitting back and waiting for us to then go on the counter-attack. We need to improve and raise the tempo.”

Inter had been unbeaten in Serie A since the last encounter with Milan, another 1-0 result on November 23, managing a 2-2 draw against Napoli and 14 victories.

Chivu had said that Inter were too often criticised and not given credit for their successes, but after a disappointing 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Como midweek and this defeat, they seem to be losing steam.

This is on top of the Champions League exit in the play-offs to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt.

“We could and should have done better. The strikers are young, they didn’t do what we usually require, but that is not an excuse, I am pleased with what they tried to do, considering they were the only two at our disposal. For two such young players, this is valuable experience,” added Chivu.

“We all should’ve had greater intensity and moved with more determination all over the pitch.”

There had been suggestions Inter could go back to the system with one centre-forward and two more advanced creative midfielders, the approach used against Como in the Coppa Italia, to have at least one striker who could come off the bench and shake things up.

“I don’t think this was the right game to make experiments like that.”

The coach was pressed on the late incident where Denzel Dumfries headed the ball onto Samuele Ricci’s arm, but it was considered to be in a natural position.

“I was told the VAR checked it, so I have nothing to add. I am focused on the performance, on my decisions, my mistakes. There are 10 games to go, 30 points up for grabs, so we’ve got to build on what we’ve done so far,” replied Chivu.

“We still have a seven-point advantage, there are 30 still to be earned, nothing would’ve changed even if we had won tonight.”

In Serie A history, Inter and Milan have never managed to win the Scudetto in the same season where they lost both editions of the Derby della Madonnina.