Panathinaikos Manager Heaps Praise On Scudetto Bound Inter Milan Boss: “Deserves Credit Above All” | OneFootball

Panathinaikos boss Rafa Benitez has praised Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu as the Nerazzurri close in on the Scudetto.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Spaniard has credited the 45-year-old

Cristian Chivu has enjoyed a remarkable first season at San Siro.

Indeed, Inter boast a handsome nine-point lead over second-placed Napoli heading into the final six games of the season.

Therefore, the Nerazzurri are on the verge of lifting their 21st Serie A title.

Despite picking up just one point from four league matches against closest challengers Napoli and AC Milan, they’re in pole position to claim the Scudetto.

Chivu’s men have been relentless against sides sitting fourth or lower, picking up 74 points from such fixtures.

Furthermore, Inter could secure their first domestic double since 2010 as they face Como in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

After a scoreless first-leg draw at the Sinigaglia Stadium, they’ll renew hostilities at San Siro in the return fixture later this month.

Rafa Benitez Hails Inter Milan Manager Cristian Chivu

“Simple observation: Inter won in 2021, Napoli in 2023, Inter in 2024, Napoli in 2025. And in 2026, well, you can say Inter are almost ready to celebrate. They are clearly the best. And this year, the better of the two has been Inter.”

“They deserve credit for managing even the most difficult situations. People tend to forget.

“However, a year ago, after the Scudetto had gone to Napoli and the Champions League final had turned into a tragedy, there was a heavy atmosphere.

“Even so, the quality of the squad has always been very high. Difficult moments? I think of the Champions League elimination against Bodo, probably the most painful point, and also the most delicate phase.

“But Inter are a great club, led by a manager like Marotta who has an innate sense for management. The rest was also down to the team’s spirit, which came through.”

“Inter beyond injury issues? In terms of injuries, it seems to me Napoli clearly come out worse in the table. But I’m not interested in that kind of reasoning.

“I always reward those who have the strength to resist and impose themselves, otherwise we’d just be dealing in theory.

“Inter rediscovered Zielinski, to give one example, handled Thuram’s scoring dip calmly, trusted Pio Esposito, and once again found Dimarco.”

“Chivu? A decent guy, already tactically evolved as a player. But back then, he was 30; now he’s 45 – at the time, he only had to think about himself and his direct opponent, now he has to absorb responsibility for everyone.

“You could already see he was intelligent. And he has confirmed it.”