Cristi Chivu, “put in the middle” by former colleagues Ranocchia and Panucci: “I prefer you to criticize me”

• The return is scheduled in Milan, on April 22
• Lazio and Atalanta will face each other in the other semi-final. The tour is scheduled for Wednesday, from 22:00.

In Como, Inter had their worst offensive performance this season. He didn't have a single shot on goal and finished with an xG of 0.06. The possession was balanced in the last 10 minutes, when the Milanese passed between the central defenders, the opponents assisted without pressing, moments whistled intensely by the fans.

Cristi Chivu admits that it was not the most attractive duel and offered a series of explanations, pointing out Cesc Fabregas' team: “We respect each other and have known each other for a long time. It was nice to see him again. Como is doing great things and having a great season.”

Cristi Chivu, after Como – Inter 0-0

“We had line-up problems, we changed a lot of players and changed the way we defended, trying to play with man-to-man marking in their half. Como's players are good in possession, technical and attack spaces effectively. We understood along the way what needed to be done, because we didn't have time to prepare the game.

It's a credit to the players that they gave it their all, knowing that you have to accept possession of a team that knows how to do a lot of things, even if it wasn't a game of Inter's level and a nice one to watch today.

It was a game of expectation from both teams. It wasn't a pretty game. They too have had difficulty finding spaces to attack. We tried to highlight our qualities, but we used something we have not worked with before, with improvisations on the stations and system.

But for the derby we have four days to prepare. We will be ready to face Milan properly”, said Cristi Chivu.

Chivu raised smiles in the studio of the analysis show on Channel 5 when he was put in the middle by Christian Panucci and Andrea Ranocchia, two former colleagues of Cristi, who competed in praise: “I'd rather you criticize me, I'm already used to these things. Stop praising me!”

It was a game of chess against the best team in Italy, who had only one shot on goal today. I'm left with a bitter taste, because we had three big chances and could have scored at least once.

It's not about any rematch (no – after 0-4 in the championship), that's only for losers. The intelligent world is humble and never thinks like that, let's wait two or three months to win with Inter.

The mentality of the two teams is different. We have earned the merit of playing a final at San Siro. Two and a half years ago absolutely no one in Como dreamed of such a thing. But we constantly raised the bar, and today Inter came to play differently than in the championship, where they always want to dominate. And if we were better, it means a lot

– Cesc Fabregas, Como coach