The recently dismissed Italian coach from the Superliga did a blood test on Cristi Chivu: “Nobody expected it”

Andrea Mandorlini, former player at Inter between 1984-1991, was impressed by Cristi Chivu's progress so far. The Italian also noticed a player from Inter's team: Pio Esposito, the young striker promoted by the Romanian coach.

Andrea Mandorlini spoke about Cristi Chivu's Inter: “No one expected him to be so effective from the start”

Andrea Mandorlini, coach recently dismissed by CFR Cluj, listed the reasons why his adventure in Gruia was not successful. Photo: Imago Images

“No one expected him to be so effective from the start, let's be clear. The club knew him well and his choice was not an improvisation. He showed important things at Parma as well. I am very satisfied with what he says in the press conferences and how the team is playing. The management deserves praise for the choice.

After many years, Inzaghi's time is over. The team was not as lively as it is today. Now there are new players who bring freshness, but it all depends on the final results. It is very important to win derbies. Inter with Inzaghi was much more cautious, but with Chivu it is a different attitude. It is true that they lost to Juventus and Napoli, but the results could have been different. Now it's difficult for Chivu to change his game plan, but against a player like Leao you have to be careful on the counter-attacks: you don't have to leave him spaces,” Andrea Mandorlini said, according to Italian media.

Anything can happen in a derby. Inter is better, but matches like this are another story. Allegri is very experienced and will know how to find keys for his team to perform. It is important for Inter to get Thuram back. I don't think Allegri will play offensively: he will focus on counterattacks and Leao.

Pio Esposito reminds me very much of Luca Toni. I trained him, they have similar movements and playing with the champion footballers from Inter and the national team he will grow faster

–Andrea Mandorlini

Andrea Mandorlini coached in three different mandates in Romania, all at CFR Cluj. The last one ended recently, a month ago. The Italian was appointed coach at CFR Cluj after the departure of Dan Petrescu from Gruia. The Italian sat on the “railway” bench for 9 matches: 2 wins, 5 draws and 2 defeats. He is currently free of contract.

Inter – AC Milan was scheduled for November 23 at 21:45. Cristi Chivu's side head into the game top of Serie A, while their city rivals sit 3rd in the table after 11 games, just 2 points behind Inter.