The Nerazzurri coach comments on the first leg of the Italian Cup match against Como: “For the first time I had to use two playmakers and two attacking midfielders. Derby? We have to count but we will arrive ready”
“We had some emergencies, I had to make some substitutions and for the first time I put two attacking midfielders under striker.” Cristian Chivu’s analysis of the first leg of the semi-finals against Como starts from here, from the Nerazzurri’s absences. Then he elaborates: “A little late in the fifth, in difficulty against two attackers who weren’t attackers, in spaces: we were good at understanding what needed to be done. But I’m satisfied for the commitment and the little time we had to prepare. Credit goes to the boys who understood quickly by making themselves available and giving their all, knowing that Como’s possession had to be accepted. Today we had Marcus and Pio as the only attackers available, so I made them do a little and a little. Lautaro will still be missed. We have to make a virtue of necessity. It wasn’t an Inter match and it wasn’t even nice to watch.” Then the jab: “Too many compliments anyway, I’m more used to criticism…”. And on to the derby: “This was a waiting match, both ours and theirs, because Como defended with 5 men. It wasn’t good, I saw few ideas. We were good but today it wasn’t easy, for the first time we put in two improvised attacking midfielders and a double play. For the derby there are 4 days of preparation: we’ll take stock of who we are but we’ll get there ready.”
