Chivu happy with Inter ‘patience and ability to overcome difficult moments’

Cristian Chivu is ‘very happy’ for Petar Sucic and Yann Bisseck after Inter beat Fiorentina 3-0, hailing their ‘patience’ and ability to ‘overcome difficult moments.’

The Nerazzurri were feeling the pressure after their tense 3-1 defeat to Napoli over the weekend, complete with the controversy over VAR and refereeing decisions.

It took them a while to break down troubled Fiorentina at San Siro this evening, mainly thanks to the heroics of David De Gea, but Hakan Calhanoglu finally drilled in from distance.

That was followed soon after by a show of Sucic individual skill, then Calhanoglu converted a late penalty that saw Mattia Viti sent off.

“A team like Inter has to overcome difficult moments and then carry on the dream, the objective, the target,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was not easy at all today, as Fiorentina are very organised, they chose to sit deep and try to hit us on the counter-attack. We had a few problems in the final third with the wrong choices in the first half, but we added something in the determination and effectiveness after the break.

“We broke the deadlock with a shot from distance, which we had not tried at all in the first half, and that made it much easier. We needed patience today, to understand what the opponents were trying to do, and find a way around. The second half was a different match, we found more spaces.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Inter 3-0 Fiorentina

Sucic was given a rare start after the Henrikh Mkhitaryan injury and took full advantage, scoring a wonderful solo goal when he slalomed through defenders. Chivu had a big celebration on the touchline at that moment for 2-0, seeing the Croatian’s first Serie A goal.

“I don’t think my celebration was particularly wild,” insisted Chivu.

“I am happy, because he is a complete midfielder who can play in various different roles, has quality, an engine too as he covers a lot of ground. He showed great sharpness with the finishing today, we were all happy for him, because he’s been working really hard and giving such support to the team.”

Francesco Pio Esposito is a very different type of strike partner for Lautaro Martinez, stepping up after the Marcus Thuram injury dragged on more than expected.

“It is right to reward youth with playing time, but we must be careful how we do it. We are fortunate to have a squad packed with experience, who can set the example for younger players, and force them to raise their level in training too.”

Bisseck was moved to the centre of a three-man defence over the last couple of games between Serie A and the Champions League, and admitted it was a different type of role for him, trying to use his pace.

“I am happy with Yann’s performance. The way I see football, he is a player who could be in the centre. We tried that in Belgium and again this evening, as we saw the dangers of a player like Moise Kean and how much he could cause issues, so Yann’s characteristics were suited to that,” explained Chivu.

“When we were leading 2-0, he came over to drink water, and I said if in doubt, let him run after a long ball rather than try to anticipate. My staff and I want a high line, but the defenders must also understand the moments when it is good to risk, or try to anticipate.

“If in doubt, let them run and chase rather than try to anticipate and get left behind. When I was a player, I wasn’t as fast as Bisseck, but I did learn some little secrets that I can pass on to my defenders,” smiled the Champions League winner.