Cristian Chivu delivered one of his most direct and personal interviews of the season with Sportmediaset on Monday, defending Alessandro Bastoni in typically unfiltered fashion, reflecting warmly on his debut campaign and refusing, with characteristic humour, to be drawn on anything beyond the immediate present.
The Inter head coach has become one of Serie A’s most distinctive managerial voices this season, honest, principled and unapologetically himself.
Friday’s interview was no different.
Indeed, covering his personal philosophy, his pride in the team’s position and his contempt for those who have targeted his players unfairly.
Asked whether he had dreamed of being in this position at this stage of the season, Chivu was measured and forward-looking.
“For the coach of Inter, a club with important ambitions every season. Having a competitive season as the objective is the first thing that counts. I am happy because we arrive at the final two months with the league as we wanted. Giving ourselves the opportunity to reach our objectives.”
On whether a league and Coppa Italia double would be enough to erase the Champions League disappointment, his answer reflected the mentality of the club.
“Being part of a club like Inter, our duty is always to be competitive and reach all the objectives set at the start of the season.”
Inter Head Coach Chivu Refuses To Be Drawn On Future Plans But Delivers Blistering Bastoni Defence
Next, the question about a potential switch to a back four next season was met with a knowing smile.
“I don’t know what I will do tomorrow, let alone what I will do in a couple of months.”
On his philosophy of staying out of controversy, Chivu was, indeed, characteristically reflective.
“Being myself is the most important thing for me. I have never tried to change, I have tried to remain who I am. My principles go beyond the expectations of someone else’s narrative, outside my daily reality.
“I don’t feel the duty to make proclamations or seek conflicts. I am myself because I believe strongly in my conscience and in what I am as a human being.”
Furthermore, his most memorable moment came on Bastoni.
Meanwhile, asked how he had helped the defender recover psychologically after weeks of public criticism, Chivu rejected the premise entirely, and went on the attack.
“Alessandro does not need psychological recovery. The people outside who fired at him relentlessly. The ones who unleashed a truly endless public pillory, are the ones who need some psychological work.”
Finally, in closing, Chivu was asked which moment caused him more regret.
Either the late Atletico Madrid goal or the Liverpool penalty at San Siro. His answer was perfectly in character.
“I am dreaming about how to stop the next goal we will concede.”
