Inter coach praises adaptability after tactical reshuffle in Coppa Italia draw with Como
Cristian Chivu credited his players for their adaptability after Inter Milan played out a tactical 0–0 draw against Como 1907 in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal.
Speaking after the match at the Stadio Sinigaglia, the Inter coach emphasized the effort and tactical intelligence his squad showed while adjusting to an unusual lineup forced by injuries and squad absences.
The result leaves the tie wide open ahead of the return leg at San Siro at the end of April.
A New Tactical Setup
Chivu revealed that Inter were forced to experiment with a formation they had never used earlier in the season.
“We had a few emergency situations and had to make changes,” he explained. “For the first time this year we played with two attacking midfielders behind the striker.”
The adjustment required Inter to rethink both their defensive structure and their pressing approach. At times the team struggled to find the right balance, especially when Como’s mobile forwards dropped deeper to combine in midfield.
“We tried to adapt by changing the way we defended in our own half and pressing man-to-man in theirs,” Chivu said. “But sometimes we were a bit late with the wing-back tracking their left-back.”
Despite those challenges, the Inter coach praised the squad for quickly understanding what the game demanded.
“In some moments we were also a bit lucky, but considering the limited time we had to prepare this setup, the performance is a credit to the players. They understood very quickly and made themselves available for the team.”
A Match of Patience
According to Chivu, the tactical approach of both sides contributed to a game that was more strategic than entertaining.
“It wasn’t exactly a typical Inter performance and it wasn’t a very beautiful match to watch,” he admitted. “It was a game where both teams were waiting for the right moment.”
Como often dropped into a five-man defensive line without the ball, limiting space between the lines and forcing Inter to circulate possession without many clear openings.
“They tried to lure us forward and create spaces for late runs from midfield,” Chivu explained. “For us it wasn’t simple because it was the first time we played with two deep playmakers and two attacking midfielders who weren’t in their natural roles.”
Managing the Strikers
Inter also rotated their attacking options during the match, with Chivu confirming that the coaching staff deliberately split minutes between the available forwards.
“We only had two strikers and decided to divide the playing time between them,” he said. “Sometimes you just have to make the best of the situation.”
Despite the tactical limitations and the unusual setup, the coach believes the team managed the circumstances well enough to keep the tie balanced.
Everything Still to Play For
With the semifinal finely poised, Inter will now turn their attention to upcoming league fixtures before preparing for the decisive second leg in Milan.
“We’ll play everything in the return match,” Chivu said.
Before that, however, Inter face another major test.
“I don’t yet know what we’ll do for the derby,” he added. “But we’ll have four days to prepare and try to be ready.”
