Nerazzurri boss praises team character and set-piece work but insists focus remains on Champions League qualification
Cristian Chivu refused to get carried away by title talk after Inter’s dramatic comeback win over Como, even as the Nerazzurri extended their lead at the top of Serie A.
Speaking to DAZN after the final whistle, the Inter head coach acknowledged the difficulty of the match and credited his team’s response after a challenging first half.
“Against Como it wasn’t easy and we knew it,” Chivu said. “We were facing a team fighting for something important and they showed it. We struggled to find solutions and were soft defensively.”
The turning point came just before halftime, when Inter found a crucial goal that shifted the momentum.
“The goal at the end of the first half gave us confidence,” he explained. “Then we changed our attitude, showing some character and increasing the intensity.”
Chivu emphasized that the comeback was not случайный but the result of detailed preparation, particularly on set pieces.
“It’s a comeback that comes from the work of the entire staff and the team,” he said. “This morning we trained specifically on set pieces, trying to prepare them in the best possible way. We have great aerial players and it would be a shame not to take advantage of that by not working on the details.”
Beyond tactics, however, the Inter coach pointed to mentality as the defining factor.
“It’s a win of great maturity,” Chivu noted. “Understanding the moments of the match with six games to go is fundamental. In the first half we were surprised by their intensity, but we reacted like a team with character, one that wants to respond and fight until the end.”
Despite Inter’s growing advantage in the standings, Chivu avoided any suggestion that the Scudetto race is already decided.
“I answer like my colleagues, who talk about the Champions League,” he said. “We are also happy to be getting closer to the Champions League objective.”
Finally, Chivu highlighted the impact of Denzel Dumfries, who played a key role in the comeback.
“Denzel was missed,” he said. “Without taking anything away from Luis Enrique, who is good at managing the ball. They have different characteristics. With Dumfries we have more depth and more chances from set pieces: he brings more physical power and attacking runs into the box.”
