Cristian Chivu dribbles Gianluca Rocchi case: "I only talk about football"

Cristian Chivu at the end of the match does not hide all his bitterness for the draw with Torino. The Nerazzurri technician chews on disappointment for a success that seemed to have been taken and instead faded in the final. “Disappointment is inevitable, because we were in control of the match and in the final we were overwhelmed by their pressure. The first goal took away our certainties, the second was a direct consequence,” the coach explained, unhesitatingly admitting responsibility. Then, urged about the prosecutor’s investigation, he preferred to dribble the topic, “I only talk about soccer. My job is to prepare matches. Obviously on 2-0 I did not do my duty well enough, and I take all responsibility. Now we need to win and we want to close it out as soon as possible.”

Chivu then gave reasons for some formation choices and changes in the match: “Calhanoglu was not at his best, Dumfries is not yet 90 minutes, Lautaro needs more time, while Bastoni I was thinking of employing him only in the final. At 2-0 it seemed everything was under control, we were managing the game calmly. Then the 2-1 reopened fears and insecurities. Some episodes penalized us and we conceded a comeback that could have even turned into something worse.”

The coach also dwelt on the mental work done with the group, especially after the difficulties of last season: “In my career I have lived through many locker rooms and I know what it means to live with certain pressures, especially at Inter. This team needed support, but also to be told the truth, without losing confidence. I was lucky because the boys understood the message right away and made themselves available. They welcomed well what we tried to build.”

No controversy, however, on the episode of the penalty awarded to Torino: “I didn’t see the action well and I don’t want to talk about the referee. I never did during the season and I don’t intend to start now. Rather, I’m interested in understanding why, after 2-0, we went in trouble.”