Inter Milan Manager Hits Back At Napoli Boss After Well-Deserved Win Vs Atalanta: “Don’t Care What He Says” | OneFootball

Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu hit back at Napoli boss Antonio Conte after Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Atalanta.

During the post-match conference via FCInterNews, the 45-year-old also hailed Inter’s performance in Bergamo.

Lautaro Martinez scored a winning goal midway through the second half to inspire Inter to their fourth consecutive away win over Atalanta.

Furthermore, the Nerazzurri returned to the top of the Serie A table, responding perfectly to AC Milan and Napoli’s triumphs.

As a result, the 20-time Italian champions will finish the calendar year as the league leaders.

It was also an ideal response to their Supercoppa Italiana heartbreak in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, Conte tried to reopen his tug-of-war with Inter earlier in the day after Napoli beat Cremonese 2-0.

However, Cristian Chivu has no interest in letting the former Nerazzurri boss distract him from his goal.

Therefore, he expertly avoided deepening the pit between the parties after the game.

Inter Milan Boss Cristian Chivu Hits Back at Antonio Conte After Atalanta Win

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Antonio Conte Napoli head coach during the Serie A match between Napoli and Udinese at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“What Conte says doesn’t interest me,” Chivu said after last night’s victory. “We still have to finish 2025.

“It’s hard for me to think about it now, my head is spinning. Maybe I’ll tell you at the first match of 2026.

“In football, nothing is taken for granted. To be competitive, you have to dare and show it on the pitch.

“The pitch says this, but it’s December; we haven’t even finished the first half of the season.

“We know the road is still long, that we want to be competitive, that we have to work, and that sometimes we have to fight against injustices and against those who think everything is a given.

“But we know that in the end the pitch is what shows the real value of a team and a competition.

“We’re trying in every way, for better or worse, trying to respond blow for blow.

“We always keep our heads high, react to difficulties, and we’re ready to fight and work even harder.”

Inter Milan Coach Cristian Chivu Praises Marcus Thuram & Pio Esposito

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s secon goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Despite failing to get on the scoresheet, Marcus Thuram fared well at the Gewiss Stadium.

However, Chivu decided to take him off just after the hour mark, introducing Francesco Pio Esposito from the bench.

Moreover, it was a pivotal decision, as the 20-year-old set up Lautaro for the winner only two minutes after coming on.

“I’m happy with Marcus’ performance,” Chivu said. “He worked hard, kept the defenders busy, ran, and applied the right pressure.

“Then, when it seemed to us that he had no more left, Pio came on and sent Lautaro through on goal.

“But I’m happy with the attitude of the whole team. In the first half, we played more; then in the second half, they raised what was their countermeasure, which was going man-to-man.

“We’re happy with the result because, as you teach me, it often counts a lot.”

Finally, he waxed lyrical about Pio Esposito.

“But there’s also Ange Bonny in there,” Chivu added. “Let’s not forget him.

“They’re lads who work hard and have made themselves liked by the group; they always contribute, whether from the start or coming off the bench.