Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Friday, February 13, 2026, 4:58 p.m. / Updated Friday, February 13, 2026, 5:07 p.m.
crystal Chivu held another press conference in Milan where he surprised journalists with the strong message conveyed. Before Saturday's derby with Juventus, his coach Inter stated: “Is it the fault of the referees that Italy has not participated in the World Cup for 11 years? We are still talking about the same things and always complaining even after the introduction of VAR!”.
Almost no discussion of Chivu with the peninsular press is bland or without a strong echo. The conference before the Derby d'Italia was no exception (tomorrow, 21:45, livetext on GSP.ro, live on Digi Sport 2 and Prima Sport 1).
Recognized as a staunch opponent of criticism of referees and polemics of any kind, the Romanian technician surprised again with the considerations made: “Italian football and all of us must improve in many ways, but not in terms of refereeing.
Cristi Chivu: “I was elected to find solutions, not to complain”
Obviously, they, like everyone else, can do better. The referees are not the problem. If Italy has not been to the World Cup for 11 years, is it the fault of the referees? We are always talking about the same things even after the introduction of VAR.
We always complain and only hurt our own team. When I will see a coach saying “The referee favored me…”…”.
Cristi Chivu with Inter is 8 points ahead of Milan at the head of Serie A / Photo: Imago
Inter's technician also commented on the “fear” of the referees' possible influence due to a club's protests: “I'm not afraid of anything, I don't see any ghosts. I was chosen to find solutions, not to complain.”
Chivu had already proven himself to be a champion of character. I didn't expect, however, that he would turn that quality into the ability to lead the group that he has now. It's just really good
– Massimo Morattiformer president of Inter
“I also asked Lautaro to come to the conference. I gladly support, because it is not easy to speak every three days”
Chivu then moved on to the Derby d'Italia: “Juventus has grown a lot under Spalletti, he has given it an identity in a short time. This is a game where you find a little more motivation, important not only in Italy.
But the real challenge is to find the motivation even against teams that on paper are inferior. We have to be prepared as always, even accepting that we won't always be able to dominate the game.”
Cristi Chivu, in Sassuolo – Inter/ photo Getty Images
The Nerazzurri coach joked about Spalletti not speaking at the press conference, sending off captain Manuel Locatelli: “I also asked Lautaro to come (laughs). It's a decision I would happily support, because it's not easy to talk every three days.”
Asked if a win against Juventus would be the turning point in the title race, Chivu refused to give a verdict: “There are 14 games left, now a result doesn't really make a difference except on a moral and mental level. The championship is still long”.
