Chivu: I have the utmost respect for Allegri; no need to remind me we did not beat him last season

At 00:00 Beijing time on September 6, Inter Milan will host Napoli in the third round of Serie A. Ahead of the match, Inter head coach Cristian Chivu attended a press conference. This article covers the first part of the press conference.

Good afternoon, coach. After starting the league with two consecutive wins, we are facing an important match against a difficult opponent like Napoli. Looking ahead to this game, how is the team's current condition? Are everyone confident, and how has the work progressed this week?

We have made a good start in the league. In the two matches against Monza and Cagliari, we worked hard to show our tactical characteristics and the football we want to play. Of course, we also know that physically we are not yet at our best. However, as time goes on, we are recovering step by step.

We all understand how important this match is. We know Napoli finished as league runners-up last season and won the league title two years ago. We know how strong this team is, and we must be fully prepared to face and respect such a high-level contest in our best condition.

Good to see you again, Chivu. I want to return to the topic mentioned a few seconds ago and also go back to the start of last season, when Ausilio played a decisive role in the process of selecting Cristian Chivu as Inter's new head coach. I want to ask what the events of this week (Ausilio's departure) mean to you personally. What did you say to Inter's former sporting director before he left here?

Beyond our professional roles, Piero (Ausilio) is first of all my friend. I have been fortunate and very happy to work with him at Inter for many years. I have also been fortunate and very happy to share the joy of winning titles together—both during my playing career and especially as a coach. In today's football world, staying at the same club for so many years is a very rare exception—he served here for 28 years, including 14 years as sporting director, and achieved many great things during that time. We must sincerely thank him for everything he has done for me and for all of us over the years. Yesterday was a very emotional day, because we had the opportunity to say goodbye, shake hands, hug him, and especially thank him for everything he represents for this club.

Hello, I want to ask from your perspective as both a coach and a manager. Something that touched me was that you once said, “My biggest concern right now is giving playing time to players who need to regain their form and those who have just returned from the World Cup, and I hope to see the players smiling every Monday.” Considering the importance of this year's new signings and the depth of the squad in positions such as midfield, do you think integrating and managing resources will be a key factor this season? Especially in your second season, when you need to defend the title and try to repeat last season's success, is managing players' physical condition and their mindset as people a place where you need to show special ability and a high level of expertise during such a long and demanding season?

One of the characteristics a coach must have is... if I ask the team to care for and support each other, then at the same time I must always remember the full meaning of that word myself. I must clearly understand that making everyone satisfied is never easy, and a coach's ability is reflected exactly here: how to do it and how to give.

Because I know very clearly that among 25 players, unfortunately only 11 can feel happy on Sunday during a match. But I have always believed in team unity, in maintaining a high standard during our daily training from Monday to Saturday, and in helping them understand—and I believe I did a good job last season, or they understood it very well themselves—the importance of five substitutions, the importance of substitutes coming on, and that they must see it as an opportunity and a responsibility toward their teammates.

Whether they play 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or only 5 minutes, they must contribute their strength. The mentality must be that we are all in the same boat. When we are angry, we cannot show it, and when the coach may have made a decision that seems unfair to us, we cannot show dissatisfaction either. The intelligence and excellence of a team lies in working together, moving in the same direction, and believing everyone will get their opportunity, because the season is long, there are many matches, and we need a constant supply of fresh energy.

Good afternoon. I want to shift attention to tomorrow's opponent. Napoli have a coach this year (Allegri) who defeated you in both direct meetings last season. Considering that, along with the fact that Napoli have made relatively few personnel changes this season, how much will the combination of these two factors affect the current situation, especially tomorrow's match?

Regarding the position Allegri represents from the perspective of Italian football, I am absolutely one of those people who have the highest respect and admiration for him. Although people often question the values he represents, I will never forget the six league titles he has won, his winning mentality, his achievement of leading teams to two Champions League finals, and the many qualities he possesses as a highly experienced coach that all young coaches should learn from and absorb.

So you do not need to remind me that we did not beat him last season, because that is reality, an established fact. We accept it, move forward, stand back up, and keep our eyes on our bigger goals. The league is a 38-match marathon, and losing certain games is normal. Losing specific matches can certainly be painful, but we never moved away from our overall objective. Fortunately, despite some setbacks, especially the defeats against Allegri, we ultimately achieved our goal.

We must give everything we have. The people on the pitch are not the coaches, but a team prepared in a specific way, determined by their identity, the club they represent, and their ambitions. Both us and Napoli have the right ambition to continue this journey and prove that we both want to compete until the very end.