Interview I Journalist Raffaele Caruso ahead of Inter vs Milan: “Is the Milan derby Christian Chivu’s biggest test? Absolutely, this is a very important opportunity”

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Ahead of the Derby della Madonnina in which Inter are set to face Milan Sunday evening at the Stadio San Siro, the Get Italian Football News team had FcInternews journalist Raffaele Caruso exclusively preview the highly anticipated match.

As things stand, the Nerazzurri currently sit at the top of the league on level terms with Roma, possessing 24 points. With only two points separating both Milanese clubs, the Beneamata have a chance to move 5 points clear of the Diavolo if they seize all three points, allowing them to keep on course in a four-horse race for the scudetto, with the Giallorossi and Napoli also on their trail by fine margins. 

Christian Chivu’s side are currently the most offensive team in the league, having scored 26 goals in 11 matches thus far.

On the other hand, despite having dropped points this season against several minnows such as Cremonese, Pisa, and most recently Parma, coach Max Allegri’s side have been brilliant against direct rivals, having beaten both Roma and Napoli and drawing level to Juventus throughout the course of the campaign. 

Raffaele Caruso was first asked to provide his thoughouts on how the match will play-out and what he believes Inter must do tactically if they want to win all three points.

“Although Milan have had a significant transfer window that has brought in several players, like Modric and Rabiot, who have added experience to this team,  I still consider Inter the strongest team in the league.

 “However, unlike Milan, as you rightly pointed out, they struggle more in the big matches. This is where Inter needs to turn things around. In their head-to-head matches, Inter have lost to Juventus and Napoli. Even though they’ve played well, this is another warning sign; they need to show their strength in head-to-head matches. Last year, Milan finished eighth and were eliminated from every cup. Yet Inter haven’t won a single derby in five. The Super Cup, the league, and the Coppa Italia. And that says it all.

 “Inter’s current form is good; Chivu has managed to bring something of his own to this team. I expect Chivu to make some tactical changes, because Milan is a team that’s good at punishing by exploiting counterattacks, and counterattacks with players like Leao, Pulisic, Saelemaekers and Rabiot’s runs are dangerous.

 “So I don’t know if Inter will change. I’m keeping the door open. Perhaps Inter will be a little more thoughtful, less aggressive, less unbalanced. Then, if Chivu wants to somehow attack the Milan players, a great team performance is needed. It’s a home game, so Inter can also capitalize on this advantage in the derby. We’ll see, it’s definitely a game with three crucial points at stake. An Inter victory against Milan is possible, and Inter could soar in the standings.

In addition, Caruso was asked to touch on how he thought of coach Christian Chivu’s performances as the newly appointed coach of the Nerazzurri so far this season, as the Biscione have managed to win 11 out of 12 matches across all competitions since their lost to Juventus, only falling short to Napoli in a 3-1 defeat at the Stadio Maradona.

“Absolutely positive because even though I had faith in Christian Chivu as a man, it wasn’t easy to take over Inter. It’s the Inter environment, with all those players struggling after the Munich final to PSG and the Scudetto loss to Napoli.

 “I’ve been reading several interviews in recent weeks, especially from the players. Everyone emphasizes Chivu’s human depth, how he managed to penetrate the players’ minds and hearts. This was certainly a crucial step. Here in Italy, we’re also trying to praise Chivu’s way of communicating because it’s not a given.

 “In today’s football, there’s mockery, criticism, and controversy on social media. It’s a rotten world, and Chivu is currently trying to combat it alone. Here, both in terms of communication and human depth, he’s absolutely praised, but also from a tactical standpoint. Because he understood that at the European level, Inter was too wrapped up in the tension.

 “He understood how to give the defensive team a little more height, to be more aggressive. He rotates all the players, except for Diouf, who we’ve seen less of, and Luis Enrique. He’s also trying to contribute tactically. We’re only in the fifth month of work, but if the conditions are right, I believe Chivu can have a great career. Not just at Inter, I hope for many years at Inter and many victories at Inter. I see him as a solid profile, and we’ll see what he achieves so far.”

Furthermore, Caruso was asked if he viewed the Milan derby as Chivu’s biggest test so far since joining Inter from Parma, given that it has been five consecutive derbies without a win and that Inter are yet to have beaten any direct rivals such as Milan, Juventus, and Napoli since last season.

“Absolutely, this is a very important opportunity. We said it before, Inter are particularly struggling with some of Milan’s players.

 “With Juventus, however, I think it’s really a question of mentality. Against Milan, Inter struggled tactically, while against Juventus, they demonstrated all their mental weaknesses as a team. I struggle to understand how Inter could have lost to this Juventus team at this particular moment in time. Of course, Juventus has great players, but I consider Inter to be a superior team, also based on what they’ve shown in Europe.

 “There’s no denying it. Against Milan, I think it’s something different, precisely from a tactical standpoint, in terms of how the team is on the pitch. That’s why I expect something different from Chivu; I’m curious.

 “Obviously, if Leao plays well on the night, he can hurt anyone. I’m curious about the Akanji-Leao duel, because Akanji is very fast, so I think it will be a great battle.

“I’m curious to see who will play between Bisseck and Acerbi; I’m more in favor of Bisseck We also need to start taking on some serious responsibilities, making important decisions in view of the transfer market and next season.

 “I think Calhanoglu, Barella, Bastoni, Dimarco, Lautaro, and Thuram have a sense of revenge, a sense of revenge against Milan. So it’s a great opportunity, both in terms of the standings and the current situation.”

Finally, Caruso was asked which player he thinks will be influential on the pitch for Inter to potentially inspire a win Sunday evening against their bitter rivals.

“I’ll give you a unique name: Thuram. He’s been missing for a good month, but after two months he should be back in the starting lineup.

 “Bonny and Pio Esposito have done really well, and I’m really happy with what they’ve done. But if I have to think of a derby, I’d think of Thuram, especially because he put in some great performances against Milan in his second-star season.

 “And seeing Thuram and Lautaro up-front is a real highlight. Also because Thuram had a really great start and, in my opinion, is becoming more and more of a striker.

 “I mean, he’s seeing the goal, he scores headers, and he’s already scored several this season. But I’d like to see the devastating Turam we all know all over the pitch again. He’s been missing a lot, so if I had to bet with a penny, I’d bet on him.

 “Of course, Lautaro could be another key player, as could Dimarco, who’s in great form. Who knows, maybe Pio’s first goal, exposed at San Siro against Inter’s misery, could happen on Sunday.”

Julian Faustini Ι GIFN