MILAN (ITALPRESS) – “The only certainty is that we have worked well, we have desire and ambition. We will be ready to make a great race, that with Naples is a game that can direct the path of a season”. Cristian Chivu is not hiding. It recognizes the importance of a race that, by virtue of things, is labeled as a shady challenge. In front of his Inter, in the lead of the ranking with 42 points, and Napoli Italian champion in charge that chases to 4 lengths (in between the two rivals the Milan at altitude 39). “I have great respect for Count, he is a winner. We young technicians have so much to learn from him”, adds the Romanian coach talking about a colleague who has won so much, that even on the Nerazzurri bench he has been able to enrich his personal bulletin board and that to the way, to Maradona, I drive his Naples net success for 3-1. “From that race to today we are giving continuity, with the conviction, ambition and awareness of wanting to improve always. We were good at getting up in less fortunate moments with work – says the Nerazzurri technician -. They have changed the system and have some different players, they have an important and strong rose. It will be a difficult game, both for us and for them. The attention will be maximum in everyone’s mind, it will be a race that will live of episodes. This game is no longer important than the others, I tried to convey this to the team. Without proclaiming. The championship is a marathon of 38 games, it is necessary to prove to be competitive”.
His Inter, as well as Maradona, failed to give the best of himself in direct confrontations. “In football there is always to improve and manage moments in the game. It is too easy to talk about direct clashes not only because the numbers say this, reality says that we are first in the standings. I’ve never seen fear in my players before this kind of challenge. We are trying to give continuity to play and results and compared to two months ago we have matured a lot.” Chivu also talks about some individuality. “Luis Henrique has improved so much and is a player who gives a big hand in that role, it is important for us. Perhaps I also made some communication mistakes with Luis Henrique, but then with work and humility he always made available. He then put things into practice and if I’m not mistaken, it’s nine games he plays from the beginning. Then we are aware that it can improve even from the character point of view but it is never easy to dress the Inter shirt and play San Siro. I also compliment him because he showed he had big shoulders. Dumfries? He should come back in late January. He’s doing rehab in the Netherlands. When he comes back, the athletic part will begin. I hope to have it back at the end of February.”.
Chivu offers his own version, making it clear that he does not lose any mental energy and prefers to focus on his team, convinced that in the end he must always accept the verdict of the field. “We are also trained to accept injustice. To us what arbitrators do should not interest us. We must think of our 100 minutes and we must give the most, without ever being influenced by arbitral errors. We must be stronger than injustices, we must have mental discipline that I give you thoughts when you think everything comes against you. And I’m still fighting for that, the easiest thing for people around the world is to seek excuses and alibis. I don’t point my finger and I won’t complain if I lose my way. It’s a life lesson, not just football. Players, arbitrators, managers are people before professionals.” Chivu also returns on the defeat in the Champions final of last season, when Inzaghi was on the bench. “With the boys I don’t talk about it, but they always put their face, they don’t hide. In football and life you win or lose. They lost and got up. They were able to accept the truth. Strong men get back into play. Life is this: try and then try again. Cadi, cry, and then rise. The champions get back in the game and don’t point their finger in finding excuses. They stand up and put their face back in play.”.
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
