Cristian Chivu says that the prospect of a Derby della Madonnina against rivals Milan is always an ‘added motivation’ for the Inter players, but insists that the final result will not be ‘decisive’ in the race for the Serie A title: ‘It’s only the 10th game of the season’.
League leaders Inter will be the away side when they take on Milan in the first Derby della Madonnina of the season at 19.45 GMT on Sunday evening.
Despite winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia last season. Inter lost both of their league fixtures against Milan in 2025-26. In fact, they have not won in any of their last seven meetings with the Rossoneri, losing five and drawing two. Inter’s last victory in the derby came in April of 2024.
Chivu, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, insisted that his players do not need any additional motivation heading into the Milan clash.
“They’re ready and aware of the fact that it’s a derby. It’s always an added motivation to play in this game. The table doesn’t matter, it doesn’t count for anything,” warned the Nerazzurri head coach.
Assessing his opponents and responding to suggestions that they always tend to come out quickly at the start of matches this season, Chivu said: “It’s all about balance, both in terms of what you’ve got in your legs and in your mind. You have to know when to decide to do certain things.
“We know Milan’s strengths and how they can hurt us. They’re a good technical team, we have to be ready to maintain our compactness and to cover in depth.”
Chivu was asked about his desire to ‘restore the pride’ after going seven matches without a win against Milan.
“We have to treat it as a league game,” he insisted. “We can’t just be satisfied with what we’ve done so far. We have to be the best version of ourselves. We also have to ask questions of ourselves if we haven’t won in the last seven derbies. Isolated incidents, moments have gone in their favour, like the first game last year. We have to make a few more sacrifices.”
He insists, however, that one loss against Milan will not define Inter’s story this season, nor did it in 2025-26.
“Last season taught me that the derby is not decisive. It’s a big Serie A challenge, like always, three points are up for grabs.
“History reminds us that Milan won in the first leg last year, then lost to Lazio in Rome when everyone thought the table had been re-opened. It’s only the 10th game of the season.
“Obviously lots of other things are in play, like pride, determination, pleasing the supporters. You know that things aren’t always easy if you don’t win.
“There are no favourites in derbies. There is a lot of desire and ambition. You need to find the energy and the motivation. There is pressure on everyone, but we can’t think too much about that. You just have to do the right things.”
Chivu was then asked for his thoughts on the new stadium plans that Inter and Milan have recently revealed and was asked if he thinks he will still be Nerazzurri head coach by the time the new stadium is opened.
“I have to be careful what I say,” he laughed. “I’m in favour of the new, the world moves on. On the other hand, I am sorry: I gave a lot as a player at San Siro. But the world goes on and we have to accept it. The future can be scary, but it will bring joy once we’re all used to it.”
Asked again if he thinks he will still be coaching Inter when they move into their new stadium, Chivu said: “I won’t say anything, there’s still another four years to go. It’s hard to stay put for that many years, but if the sporting culture changes, then probably.”
There were also questions on Carlos Augusto’s potential role this weekend.
He said: “I’m conditioned by injuries, and once in a while everyone has to rest. He’s an option as a wing-back and as a defender. I always try to do the right rotations, I have a few of them to make.”
Asked if Josep Martinez will return in goal for the derby, Chivu simply replied: “We’ll see tomorrow.”
So far this season, Inter have won 13 points after coming behind from losing positions. Chivu was asked how important it is for his player to not concede against Milan this weekend.
He said: “I’ve had coaches who start from the principle that teams should not concede. I’m not the sort of coach who prefers to attack rather than defend. You have to understand the moments in games and the moments when you have to give everything.
“I get angry at those who get complacent or put too much trust in their teammates and forget the basic team principles. I always start from the fact that when we talk about defending, we are talking about 11 players who need to have clarity in what they are doing. Inter always work on this. Sometimes we do it well and sometimes we do it badly. The task is to find the right balance.
Asked if he would take a 0-0 draw after this assessment, Chivu said: “I don’t know, if you lose 1-0 it’s bad but you’re happy if you win 1-0. Although if Inter do it, they always find something to say about it. I want my players to give everything and to go out there with their heads held high and to be able to say that they tried.”
Chivu was asked about Inter’s ideal identity and the notion that they tend to struggle against teams who deploy a low block.
He replied: “If it ends 5-3, you’ve conceded three but scored five. If it ends 2-0, apparently it’s not good enough because you haven’t scored five. Inter’s problem is that we need to find a little more motivation. We have to understand that when we have the ball, we have to make the most out of our best characteristics and know that we can take some risks.”