Chivu hails Inter´s attitude after taking control of Scudetto race

Cristian Chivu declared there are no easy games in Serie A after his Inter side went four points clear at the top of the table following a 2-0 win away at Parma.

The visitors were dominant in the first half of Wednesday’s game with both Yann Bisseck and Francesco Pio Esposito striking the woodwork, and the opening goal arrived via a right-footed finish from Federico Dimarco shortly before the break.

Since joining Inter in the 2021-22 season, Dimarco is one of only four defenders to have been involved in more than 40 goals in Europe’s top five leagues (41 – 18 goals and 23 assists), along with Jeremie Frimpong (49), Jonathan Clauss (48) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (42).

In addition, only Frimpong (48 with Bayer Leverkusen before joining Liverpool) has been involved in more goals for a single club than Dimarco (41, like Alexander-Arnold with Liverpool) during this period among defenders.

Marcus Thuram then made sure of the points in the 98th minute, scoring the latest goal for Inter in Serie A since the return of the 20-team format in 2004-05, having come off the bench.

And Chivu, who rotated his squad ahead of Sunday’s huge tussle with title rivals Napoli, was delighted by the attitude of his players.

“In Serie A, there are no games you can underestimate; dangers are always around the corner,” he told Sky Sports Italia.

“It’s not easy to break their line with 10 players behind the ball, so we tried to get into the box with crosses and shots from distance.

“What really matters, though, is the win, and the players’ attitude, which was exceptional.”

Chivu’s analysis after tonight’s win
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He singled out Manuel Akanji and the rest of the Inter defence, with his side keeping a ninth clean sheet of the league campaign in tough conditions.

Chivu said: “He is important, just like [Yann] Bisseck, [Francesco] Acerbi, [Stefan] de Vrij and Carlos Augusto, who played a great match.

“He handles speed well and is good at covering gaps on counter-attacks. It’s never easy to play against a low block; you always have to stay fully focused.

“When you move the ball, there’s always a risk of getting complacent. But from a focus standpoint, I’m very happy with what we achieved.”

Inter now host Napoli in a massive game at the top of the table, which offers them the opportunity to extend their lead over the reigning champions to seven points.

“We are aware of the importance of the game against Napoli,” Chivu added.

“We are halfway through the season; every match and every point is important, and we are conscious of that fact.

“Inter and Napoli are two teams with individual quality and great intensity.”