News Focus
- Inter chase domestic double against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night
- Head coach Cristian Chivu claims season success does not depend on final result
- Marcus Thuram faces late fitness test after returning to training on Tuesday
- Nerazzurri beat Biancocelesti 3-0 in league clash just four days ago
- Romanian boss took charge last summer and already delivered 21st Scudetto
Cristian Chivu wants his Inter squad to step onto the pitch with joy when they face Lazio in the Coppa Italia final this week. The Romanian manager insists that whether his team lifts the trophy or not, the 2025-26 season will still stand as a remarkable achievement for the Milan giants.
The former Inter defender is enjoying an impressive first full campaign in the dugout. He replaced Simone Inzaghi last summer and guided the club to their 21st league title. Now he has the chance to secure a domestic double in Wednesday’s night clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
Last weekend gave the Nerazzurri a taste of what to expect. They travelled to Rome and thrashed Lazio 3-0 in Serie A action. However, Chivu warned his players against thinking the cup final will follow the same pattern.
“These are two separate matches,” he explained at Tuesday’s press conference. “Playing the same opponent twice in quick succession carries risks. You might believe it will be easy to repeat Saturday’s performance, but they could discover extra motivation. We must stay humble and show the right attitude.”
The Inter boss confirmed that striker Marcus Thuram remains a doubt. “He is improving. He trained with the group today. We will use tomorrow to assess his condition before making a decision,” Chivu stated.
While Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri spoke about the mental battle ahead, Chivu called for calm heads among his own dressing room. “Do not become too obsessed with the outcome. We have earned everything through hard work. We must keep the same calmness we have shown all year. Go out there with smiles, enjoy the moment, but never lose our enthusiasm or humility,” he said.
Sarri also admitted the trophy means little to him personally. Chivu shares a similar view about the result’s impact on Inter’s campaign. “It changes nothing for me. I am at a club that shares my ambitions and demands competitiveness. From Lautaro Martínez’s first interview in pre-season, I understood the spirit here,” he remarked.
“This group’s strength lies in understanding what we represent and fighting for it. People forget this team has reached several European finals recently. When they do not win the league, they finish second. The competitive level has always remained high, and that is exactly what I want,” Chivu added.
When asked what he has brought to the club, the coach highlighted his personal touch. “Ambition. I know what Inter means, the history surrounding it, and the negative voices that often appear. I have tried to ease that pressure from a human perspective and handle the frustration that comes from outside. I am working with excellent people who show real pride and unity,” he concluded.