Inter vs. Juventus: Cristian Chivu's press conference LIVE | OneFootball

Today marks the eve of Inter vs. Juventus, the big showdown in matchday 25 of Serie A, scheduled for Saturday, 14 February at 20:45 CET at San Siro.

Ahead of the Derby d'Italia, the Nerazzurri coach Cristian Chivu shared his thoughts during the press conference:

Tomorrow Inter will play against a Juve side that is very different from the one they played against in the first half of the season, but at the same time, Inter has also grown a lot. Will it be an opportunity to gauge the level of the team? "Juventus have improved a lot since Luciano's arrival; they have a clear identity now. Individually, I have also seen players who have developed and who can cause problems for anyone; they have grown significantly. We hope that we continue to perform at this high level, with the same attitude, drive, and determination that we've shown over the last two months."

Do you feel that the squad is particularly motivated because of the importance of the game? "The only difference is that matches like this help us find that extra motivation, but the challenge is to maintain the same level of focus even against those who are weaker, on paper. This is a Derby that is known worldwide between two clubs that have proved themselves throughout history."

Locatelli will speak for Juventus in their press conference. Is that a choice that surprised you? "I said we should send Lautaro to match Juventus. When a team is playing this many matches, it's hard to come out here and speak every three days, and from our point of view, it doesn't change much. It's a choice I would have made myself, too."

How are Barella and Çalhanoğlu doing? Are they ready to start? "They have been in training for a couple of days and haven't had any problems, so they are available."

Juventus had plenty of opportunities against Lazio. Did their aggression worry you? How important is the approach? "Approach is always crucial. Juventus want to dominate, and they have so many ways to attack, through pace, vertically, and their mobility. They have always put their opponents and their organisation under pressure. We should be prepared to accept that sometimes control of the game shifts. Juventus are very strong and have top-quality players."

What do you think about the situation with referees? Do you think it's good that more professionalism is being asked of them? "This has been an ongoing issue, and we always end up discussing the same things, with or without VAR. I'll start discussing this seriously when a coach apologises in a press conference for mistakes made in their favour, but that's human nature. It's normal. However, referees are not the issue in Italian football. If the national team fail to qualify for the World Cup, that's not down to the referees. Of course, they can improve, but they are not the main issue."

You usually avoid talking about referees: do you worry that, on a human level, a referee might feel under pressure in such an important match? "No, I'm not concerned. I don't look for problems where there are none. My focus is entirely on my team. I was brought here to find solutions and to figure out how we can improve."

As a player, did you feel the rivalry more against Milan or Juventus? How did it affect your approach? "I've always had a lot of respect for all my opponents, including our so-called rivals. For me, it was always just another game. I never felt the weight of the Derby or Inter vs. Juve. I always just did my best to prepare, be it against top sides or teams that are considered weaker on paper. You should never give up or put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Of course, you understand how crucial this match is for the fans and the club, because of what it represents."

How do you view Spalletti now compared to when he was your coach? "He's improved so much. He was already great back then, and he still is today. His teams play well because they have a clear identity and plenty of creativity. We've always stayed in touch, and we've spent time together. He's a really skilled coach who still has a lot to give. He should be seen as an example and a role model, especially for young coaches like myself."

Did you expect to be in this position after the first-leg game? "At Inter, we don't have too much time to think about this kind of thing. We have to stay focused on the next game. At that time, we had to go to Amsterdam, and we needed a positive result after two defeats. You always try to prepare in the best way possible and choose the right players for the next game. But the players really deserve the credit. They understood what was needed immediately and worked hard, showed determination, and took great pride in what they were doing."

Federica Brignone won Olympic gold just ten months after a serious injury. Is she a source of inspiration and an example for you? "Not only is she an inspiration for young footballers, but also for all children in general; these are the kind of stories that really impact you and give you real role models. In football, we need to learn and pass on values. Sometimes a team is judged solely based on results, but football is just a sport, and there are lots of lessons that can be learnt from other sports. Brignone's story is truly incredible. Young people should definitely consider her as an example in light of everything she's been through, the extent of which only she knows. I would have liked to see the same with Lindsey Vonn. I wish her all the best and a speedy recovery. These are beautiful stories, and we can all learn from them."

How are you preparing for Inter vs. Juventus, and how are you ensuring the players are ready? Is it important to manage their emotions? "I try to teach the players to approach every match in the same way. We've had a great first half of the season, with very few defeats, even though we've played lots of games. Most importantly, we've shown we can be consistent in our performances. We need to have confidence in ourselves and always be the best versions of ourselves, regardless of the opponent. Getting used to a certain mindset and approach is really important to avoid emotional ups and downs. Balance is crucial; you have to stay in control of your emotions and develop mental strength. When you work from a place of ambition, everything becomes easier."

Have you spoken to Marcus Thuram specifically? "He has to be able to joke around with his brother because he loves him. Of course, there's a certain rivalry, but you can't pretend it doesn't exist. Marcus is a positive and happy person, that's just who he is. I like him like that. At the same time, he needs to be a bit more ruthless and selfish in front of goal. Sometimes, he thinks about others too much. He's an altruist through and through. I've thought about it from their family's perspective, having two sons playing for Inter and Juventus is a beautiful thing. Their parents have been excellent examples and inspirations for them. Lilian Thuram achieved so much and was an outstanding player, and I hope both of them go on to achieve what he did."

Two years ago, a win helped push Inter towards the Scudetto. Would a victory now be decisive? "We always go into a game to win, but it's a long season. At this point, a defeat won't affect the standings too much, but more in terms of morale and keeping our momentum going. For me, the league is still all to play for."