Chivu: ‘I trust our professionalism, Napoli atmosphere won’t be easy’

Inter head coach Cristian Chivu says that he trusts his players’ ‘professionalism and responsibility’ after granting them an extra day off ahead of their big Serie A match against Napoli this weekend, and has warned of the atmosphere at the Stadio Maradona, which he warns ‘won’t be easy’. 

Inter will take on Napoli at the Stadio Maradona on Saturday evening, with the two sides – and Roma – level on points in second and third place in the league table. They sit one point shy of leaders Milan before the start of the weekend’s matches. 

The Nerazzurri are coming in with a strong run of form, which has seen them win seven matches in a row across all competitions: Four in Serie A and three in the Champions League. 

Despite his recent record, Chivu believes that form is irrelevant in a big game like Saturday’s. 

“What’s already happened has little to do with it,” Chivu said during his pre-match press conference on Friday. “We’re playing against the Italian champions, and their ambitions are still very high. It will be a hard-fought game and everyone wants to bring home the result.”

The Inter squad were granted an extra day of recovery after a busy period between the international break, Serie A matches and Champions League engagements. 

“A day of rest is normal,” Chivu said.  “We had a period recently where lots of players didn’t even make it back home. We’ve finished at five in the morning and also in Belgium, we couldn’t return after the end of the game. It seemed right to give a day for them and their families and children. 

“I trust their professionalism and responsibility. We play so much, sometimes it’s difficult to train and prepare for the game.”

Chivu was asked if this game could define Inter’s season, to which he replied: “This is an important game and we can’t deny the evidence. But it’s too early to say. There are lots of teams who have already lost twice. Whatever is true for one team is also true for the others.

“We need to understand the importance of the match. We have to have the right conviction and the right passion. The game will not be easy in terms of atmosphere either, we have to be ready mentally.” 

Chivu was asked to explain the difference between preparing for a big match as a coach, compared to a player. 

“My experiences have taught me that every game has to be treated equally,” Chivu said. “You can’t differentiate between matches. You can’t consider yourself to be better than the opponent, otherwise you don’t win titles or trophies. Everything must be treated equally. You need respect for yourself, for your teammates and your opponents. Then, everything else becomes simple. 

“I’ve experienced groups where training was more difficult, but that doesn’t mean that we didn’t prepare in the right way. You have to know how to manage every moment.” 

Chivu was asked what Lautaro Martinez has to do to adapt his game depending on whether he’s playing up front alongside Ange-Yoan Bonny or Francesco Pio Esposito. 

He replied: “Nothing changes, they’re four compatible strikers. Their performances are the same, they’re generous and work hard for the team. They put the group first, there are no defined pairings for me. They know how to play together and don’t step on each others’ toes.” 

Chivu was also asked to give his opinion on the proposal that could see the Serie A match between Milan and Como played in Perth, Australia in February. 

He said: “I’ve learned not to complain because it’s a waste of energy. It’s not up to me to judge because it doesn’t involve me in this instance. I went to Benghazi, we’re all professionals. It’s up to the coach and club to manage resources and energy. Maybe we will learn from it and give more rest.”