Cristian Chivu has done it again, and it’s not the first time. Inter came back once more, turning a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 win, this time against Fiorentina, thanks to a penalty in the 97th minute. This came after a clear penalty for Thuram had earlier been denied. Chivu said: “We were stronger than the injustices, they gave us strength. Even though I don’t want to see anyone complaining about refereeing errors…”
Coach Chivu explained that his team conceded from a 30-metre strike, but there was nothing to complain about regarding the quality of their play or the determination they showed. He felt that in the end they were rewarded, since despite the deficit, they kept calm and clear-headed. “I congratulate my boys, they created chances and tried to take the win. Today I would have said we deserved it even if we had lost, I swear,” he added.
Regarding his choice of the two strikers, Chivu clarified that they had been positioned wider. “Bonny is a player who doesn’t offer reference points, while Pio was being marked by their defenders. We chose to bring more dynamism and one-on-one duels on both flanks. Lavelli’s introduction was also to open up the penalty area more,” the coach detailed. He stressed the team’s unwavering belief until the end, adding that you almost always get rewarded for what you express on the pitch.
Chivu expressed satisfaction with the team’s response, stressing that certain episodes and injustices did not knock them down. He noted that the team has recovered thirteen points from deficit situations this season, stressing that “it is enough not to give up and to maintain the same mentality.” He concluded by referring to the protests over the denied penalty: “I have always said that matches last 90 minutes, I don’t want to see people complaining about refereeing decisions. I want to see people who believe and react. Of course, I too would like us not to suffer, but football is like that.”
Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport