Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:01 p.m.
Sandro Mazzola (83 years old), the former great Italian striker, did not doubt Cristi's success at all Chivu TO Inter. “You won't hear him shouting or exaggerating, but he goes his own way. He knows you have to play well, but above all, win,” said the double European Cup winner (1963-1964 and 1964-1965) with the Nerazzurra.
Inter managed a sensational comeback at “Sinigaglia”, where they were led 0-2, but beat Como 4-3. The Nerazzurri have taken advantage of their rivals' missteps in the scudetto and are 9 points ahead of Napoli and 12 more than Milan. In the last six stages, the leader needs 10 points to mathematically win his 21st title.
Sandro Mazzola is superstitious and avoids saying that the fight for first place is over: “Although I say that Inter's players are always the best in the world, I don't have gray hair for nothing and I've seen a lot in life.
Sandro Mazzola, with coach Helenio Herrera at Inter in the 1962-1963 season / Photo: Imago
The Scudetto is only won when someone sews the coat of arms on your chest, but I really believe that this moment will come. The team was clearly superior to the others.”
Sandro Mazzola: “The players immediately followed him. Chivu is in front and the group behind. That's how you see a real leader!”
Asked whose main credit is for the success looming on the horizon, the legend of the Nerazzurri club did not hesitate: “As for the coach, he is a good boy, in whom I have always believed from the beginning.
Not everyone thought Chivu's arrival would have this effect on the team. But instead, the players immediately followed him. He stands in front, the group behind. That's how you see a real leader.”
The striker, who between 1961 and 1977 wore only Inter's jersey, winning four titles, two European Champions Cups and two Intercontinental Cups, and who became Euro 1968 champion with the national team and finished second at the 1970 World Cup, revealed, in the Gazetta dello Sport interview, what impressed him at Chivu.
Coach Cristi Chivu has 24 wins, three draws and 5 defeats in this championship at Inter, with a goal difference of 75-29 / Photo: Imago Images
“Go ahead with your own style. You won't hear him yell or exaggerate, but he gets his way. He knows you have to play well, but above all, win.
Last season I didn't make it, it all ended when I was in the best position. This year will be different. And let's not underestimate the Coppa Italia: what a beautiful revival it would be, with a double!”, concluded Sandro Mazzola.
