Following Inter’s resounding 5-2 victory over Roma, Cristian Chivu elaborated on the pivotal shift in the second half. He noted, “We embodied the correct mindset, aiming to dominate and decisively end the match.” This impressive win served as a strong declaration from the Nerazzurri, especially after a challenging period where they had only secured two points from their previous three league fixtures before the international break. The match saw a triumphant return for Lautaro Martinez, who, sidelined since a calf injury on February 18, immediately scored twice. Other significant contributions came from Hakan Calhanoglu, who netted a spectacular goal from approximately 35 yards out, alongside strikes from Marcus Thuram and Nicolò Barella.
Chivu’s Half-Time Message Ignites Inter’s Resurgence
Speaking to DAZN Italia, Chivu expressed his delight with the team’s performance: “I am extremely pleased to see Lautaro back in action, happy that Marcus both scored and assisted, and to witness Barella’s goal. Denzel Dumfries also played exceptionally well, as did Diouf and Frattesi, and indeed everyone, including those who didn’t feature tonight.”
The third goal, scored early in the second half, was a pivotal moment, sparking enthusiastic celebrations from the bench. Chivu explained, “That was precisely what we emphasized at half-time – to adopt the correct mindset immediately after the break, to solidify our lead, and to continue scoring.” He further elaborated on the team’s growth, stating, “You observe what unfolds on the pitch, and it clearly indicates this team’s increasing maturity. In recent games, we experienced some instability when we attempted to defend a lead, which was a mistake. Tonight, however, we approached the second half with the right determination, aiming to control the play and secure the victory decisively.”
Addressing Gian Piero Gasperini’s observation that Roma performed well in the first half, pinning Inter back until Calhanoglu’s unexpected long-range strike, Chivu responded, “It’s inherently challenging to high-press Roma, given their dynamic movement and tendency to vacate the midfield to exploit flanks with their wingbacks.” He further elaborated, “We were somewhat concerned about them supplying Malen, which led to Calhanoglu playing deeper and finding it difficult to contain Pisilli, who was dictating play. In the second half, however, we exhibited greater bravery, disrupted their defensive lines, accelerated our ball movement, and deployed our playmaker in a more forward position.” Chivu concluded, “Granting Roma players time and space allows them to expertly identify gaps and create opportunities for their forwards. We elevated our intensity, increased our sprints to contest the ball, and consequently delivered a very strong second-half performance.”
A significant moment occurred in the second half when Alessandro Bastoni was substituted and received a standing ovation from the San Siro faithful. This public display of support was particularly reassuring for the defender, whose resilience had been questioned following his red card during Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and prior media criticism for an alleged simulation that led to Pierre Kalulu’s red card for Juventus. Reports had even suggested Bastoni was considering leaving Italy altogether for a transfer to Barcelona due to the perceived ‘toxic atmosphere’.
When questioned about the intense pressure contributing to Italian football’s challenges, Chivu acknowledged, “While I possess no magical solution for all the issues, I can definitively state that we all bear responsibility for the current state of football.” He elaborated, “This encompasses coaches, players, journalists, and social media, as criticism and negativity frequently garner more attention. We must remember that football is fundamentally a game, a lesson I learned during my fortunate two-year tenure in a youth academy, where I witnessed truly shocking phenomena.” Chivu concluded with a call for change: “We are all complicit, and therefore, we must transform our approach to this magnificent sport that inspires such profound affection in children and dedication from fans who passionately support their teams. The focus should not be on those who harbor ill will, hurl insults, or worse, at opponents.”