Inter Milan Head Coach ‘Disappointed’ With Draw Against Scudetto Rivals Napoli But Admits: ‘It Was A Fair Result’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu admitted there was frustration after Inter Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by Napoli at San Siro, but accepted that the outcome fairly reflected a match contested by two evenly matched title contenders.

Speaking to DAZN after the final whistle, the Inter head coach brushed aside broader statistical narratives and focused instead on the ninety minutes.

“I talk about the match, about two strong teams who did everything to win,” Chivu explained.

“There is regret because we went ahead twice, but it’s never simple against a team that knows how to put you in difficulty. We didn’t have the clarity to see it through to the end, but there is also credit to the opponents, who believed until the end and did everything to equalise and maybe even win.”

Asked what positives he took from the performance, Chivu highlighted his side’s mentality and attacking intent.

“The attitude, the desire to always go forward, sometimes even excessively, because they are very good at short passing,” he said.

“But we tried to stay in the game, aware that in front of us was an equally strong team that we knew could hurt us.”

Inter 2-2 Napoli – Chivu Reflects On What Went Wrong

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Chivu analysed the flow of the match in detail, admitting Napoli caused problems early in the second half.

“They did it in the first twenty minutes of the second half, then we came out with longer spells of possession and straight after that the penalty arrived,” he noted.

“It’s a shame, but there were two strong teams on the pitch who raised the level of modern football.”

Despite the disappointment of not winning a direct clash, the Inter coach stressed the wider context of the title race.

“We remain with the regret of not winning a head-to-head, but we move on. We do everything to achieve our ambitions in a league that will be a battle until the end between four or five teams,” Chivu said.

Indeed, pointing out that Inter, Napoli, Bologna and Milan all still have a game in hand.

Chivu Praises Opponents After Hard-Fought Draw

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

On Napoli’s intensity and enthusiasm, Chivu insisted nothing came as a surprise.

“We expected a match like this. We were stretched in our distances when pressing,” he admitted.

“They circulated the ball very well with McTominay and Lobotka to find Elmas or Politano. We made mistakes there, but I take the players’ attitude in wanting to apply that pressure, sometimes even exaggerating, knowing that it could all come to nothing.”

He concluded that “in the end it finished rightly in a draw for what was seen on the pitch.”

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Chivu also commented on the injury suffered by Hakan Calhanoglu.

The Turkish midfielder went off late on with a suspected ankle sprain.

“I don’t know, it’s fatigue,” the coach said. “The last time I said something, I said Thuram had cramp… it’s better if I keep quiet.”

Inter 2-2 Napoli – Chivu: ‘We Knew It Wouldn’t Be Easy’

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Chivu echoed similar themes in his post-match comments to Inter TV, once again underlining the balance of the contest.

“They are two strong teams who tried to win this match. Napoli are champions of Italy, we have the ambition to do something more,” he said.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, both teams tried, and a draw came out of it. I’m satisfied with the mentality; we lacked a bit of clarity in some pressing phases, but in terms of desire and wanting to be proactive rather than passive, we gave everything.”

Reflecting on the second half specifically, Chivu added.

“In the first twenty minutes they put us in difficulty with quality. We could have had more patience in letting our players recover positions but we weren’t able to maintain the lead until the end. We move forward. Napoli are strong and can put you in difficulty at any moment.”