Cristian Chivu commented to DAZN microphones on his Inter‘s comeback against Napoli, which ended 3-2 after being two goals down. The goals from Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram overturned the result in an intense evening at San Siro.

The Nerazzurri coach also returned to the topic of direct clashes discussed in the pre-match press conference. “I’m tired of what I heard last year, and it was fair to criticize the team for what they couldn’t do. At this moment, Inter was vulnerable on two things: the direct clashes not won and on Bodo,” explained Chivu.

“So, I think those were the only things that were putting a spoke in the wheel, to put it mildly. Mine was a rhetorical question to the journalist, I didn’t mean to disrespect either Milan or Juve. I have great respect for these two clubs,” added the coach.

About the match, Chivu highlighted the offensive approach of both teams. “It was a great match to watch, entertaining. A great advertisement for Italian football. At 2-2 both teams played openly, without thinking about defending the result. I saw great chances on both sides. We rejoice because we managed to make it 3-2, but Napoli deserves compliments, they are a strong team, with individuality and well coached.”

The coach then analyzed the team’s reaction after falling behind. “We could have managed the 1-0 situation better because we suffered it, the 2-0 was the consequence of that ball that didn’t go out. We were thinking too much about what we had done on the first goal, then the second came. But I liked the reaction, we didn’t fall apart and we kept our identity.”

“We raised the tempo, then the 2-1 gave us a bit more hope. We couldn’t risk too much, so I waited to make some changes. In the end, we were rewarded for our courage,” he continued, also explaining the run to the sideline at 2-2: “I wanted to give some instructions because in the final minutes San Siro was a cauldron and we couldn’t communicate with the team, to find the tactical balance we wanted.”

On the refereeing and the alleged handball by Lobotka, Chivu preferred to praise the overall management. “I want to compliment the refereeing management of the first three matchdays. The game flows, the matches are entertaining and there are no more time-wasting. Whoever goes to ground knows they have to leave the pitch. They are maintaining a refereeing line that everyone likes. I don’t talk about incidents, I’m not interested.”

Finally, on Dimarco’s condition ahead of the match against Real, the coach was cautious: “I don’t know, there are two days and we’ll see.”

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