Chivu: ‘Inter have never doubted Lautaro Martinez’

Cristian Chivu assures Inter ‘have never doubted’ Lautaro Martinez after his brace to beat Pisa and there are no problems between them. ‘I hug him every day, just not on camera.’

It was a tough slog in Tuscany this afternoon, as is to be expected considering Pisa were unbeaten in six Serie A rounds, and had not conceded on home turf for four games.

With pressure building following defeats to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, it was only at the 69th minute that the deadlock was finally broken by the Lautaro Martinez brace, meeting the assists from Francesco Pio Esposito and Nicolò Barella.

“We did well to react, recognising the difficulty of this match,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.

“Pisa were unbeaten in six games and the last goal they conceded at home was in mid-September. We knew the risks that we were going into, so we showed patience, organisation and maturity.

“There were moments when we could’ve done better, but we take the good things that we did. This squad is proving every day it wants to challenge itself and have a strong season.”

There had been criticism of Lautaro Martinez’s form in the last few games, so the captain scoring a brace sent a strong signal.

“We know the importance of all our players, especially our captain. There might be people outside who doubt him, but we never have, because we know how much he cares and how much be brings to this team,” replied Chivu.

Did introducing Piotr Zielinski and Pio Esposito make the difference for Inter today?

“A coach is not better or worse depending on certain changes, nor should he be evaluated purely on the result. We have quality throughout the squad, I have 22 excellent players at my disposal, and they all belong at Inter.”

Chivu also was criticised for taking Lautaro Martinez off early in the Milan and Atletico Madrid games, but only just revealed the Argentine had flu symptoms last week.

“A coach must deal with many things, and if he listens too much to what is said outside, he might lose his clarity. When Lautaro is doubted in the media, it is blown out of proportion trying to make headlines.

“We know what he is doing and what he means to this team. He puts his heart and soul into this side, as do all the players.”

When Lautaro Martinez was substituted today, he went over to hug the coach on the touchline.

“I hug him every morning, it’s just that isn’t on camera,” shrugged Chivu.

“There’s no Big Brother recording our every move. I am happy for him, as a striker lives for goals, but the whole team did well today.”

The result gets Inter back on track in the Scudetto race, especially as Roma and Napoli go head-to-head this evening, so at least one of them will inevitably drop points.

The fans seem to be sticking with Chivu, even when some in the media do not.

“I know who I am and what I can bring to this team. I put in effort and passion for this work, for an important club like Inter. I’ve done something good for this club over the years, and being their coach honours me.

“I am aware of the responsibility towards a club that believed in me and towards the fans who have such passion. And towards these marvellous lads, who do everything to honour the Nerazzurri colours,” concluded Chivu.