Chivu blames flu outbreak for Inter’s Derby della Madonnina lineup changes but admits wrong attitude in 3-1 defeat
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu acknowledged that illness forced unexpected team selection decisions ahead of the Milan derby, according to Football Italia. The flu bug affecting the Inter squad meant Chivu had to improvise his lineup, attempting to call upon players willing to push through despite physical difficulties. Despite these circumstances, Chivu suggested the preparation difficulties did not fully explain Inter's defensive collapse.
Milan won the derby 3-1, with Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot scoring within the opening ten minutes. Diego Moreira provided two assists, including a free kick that resulted in Milan's third goal. Bastoni scored Inter's sole goal from a Hakan Calhanoglu corner, though Inter retained largely futile possession throughout the second half.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the match, Chivu stated that losing a derby carries particular significance and acknowledged both teams and supporters held different expectations beforehand. He described the defeat as painful, emphasising the symbolic weight of the fixture. However, Chivu indicated Inter's performance reflected more than practical constraints.
Chivu determined that Inter's approach during the match itself represented a fundamental problem beyond the squad availability issues. His assessment suggested that whilst the flu outbreak necessitated tactical adjustments, the team's mentality and tactical discipline during play fell short of what the derby demanded. The result extends Chivu's difficult record in this fixture, having lost all three of his attempts as Inter coach against Milan.
