At the end of the match between Inter and Torino, which was won convincingly by the Nerazzurri, coach Cristian Chivu spoke at the press conference to comment on the victory. Below are his answers from the conference room at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium.

PERFORMANCE – “What I liked most is that the team showed aggressiveness, focus, and a search for verticality. All things we have worked on. Then, of course, the credit goes to them because they did an excellent job. It was an unknown for everyone, the boys made themselves available right away and today they put in a great performance from every point of view.”

SUCIC – “I’m happy for Petar because playing your first game at San Siro is not easy, and I know that well. He showed great maturity because he immediately tried to meet our requests. He brought out the aggressiveness we asked of him. Great performance despite having played in several different roles.
About Barella as a playmaker, he immediately made himself available for the needs of the team. He already showed in Bari that he could do it, but it wasn’t easy to convince him to play a different role. I’m happy to have versatile midfielders who make themselves available to the group.”

DIOUF – “He is a mezzala, a holding midfielder. A left-footed midfielder that this team was missing. I wanted to reward a boy who has just arrived, make him feel important, but I also put him a bit in difficulty because I put him in a different role. I don’t even know if he has ‘unpacked’ – is that how you say it? (laughs, ed.) – I mean if he has opened his suitcases. I’m happy he got to taste San Siro.”

AREAS TO IMPROVE – “The things I didn’t like I prefer to say to the team. There are always things you don’t like because you should never be satisfied with what you do. I’m happy not to have conceded a goal, I saw particular focus. I don’t talk about criticism, I prefer to talk about the good things. But let’s stay calm because the road is still long.”

SUBSTITUTIONS – “I’ve never seen players happy when they are substituted. I try to be myself, consistent and credible, and to raise my voice when needed. Maybe I raise it more than expected and maybe sometimes I exaggerate. They are really great people, great athletes. We also made some pacts about certain things. I’m happy with this team, with men who are still motivated to aim to be important.”

FRENCH PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD – “I’m happy with the French players, as well as the others. For Bonny, I’m happy because he broke the ice in his first game at San Siro. I saw a happy boy. For the quality he has shown us in these four weeks, he will definitely give us a big hand. About Thuram, I’m happy because he scored twice, he just needs to improve in terms of consistency, these are his own words.”

DEBUT AT SAN SIRO – “I don’t remember my first as a player because I had surgery on my head (laughs, ed.). The emotion makes me forget my thoughts. I’m trying to pass something on to the team. When I enter San Siro and see the people, something comes back, but the important thing is not me. It’s the team, for how they are, for how they accepted me, for the staff. I’m proud, even though it’s normal that in the future there may also be less beautiful moments.”