Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, 08:41 / Updated on Wednesday, 22 April 2026 08:51
Cristi Chivu scored a dramatic qualification for the final of the Italian Cup, 3-2 with Como (0-0 in the round), with the chance to set a record at Inter. The Romanian coach could become the first to win both domestic trophies in his debut season at the Nerazzurri club, which even Jose Mourinho failed to do!
What a comeback Inter achieved on Tuesday evening! It was the second time in just ten days that the team led by Cristi Chivu overturned a two-goal handicap with Como.
In the championship, but away, he made a formidable comeback and beat Giuseppe Meazza 4-3, and now, in the semi-final of the Cup, the Nerazzurri scored three times in 20 minutes! It was 3-2 on aggregate and the Serie A leader will contest the final, on May 13 in Rome, with the winner of Atalanta and Lazio (the match takes place tonight, in Bergamo, in the round it was 2-2).
11goals scored by Inter to Como in the four matches played this season. Chivu's side beat Cesc Fabregas' side three times, 4-0 and 4-3 in the league plus 3-2 in the Cup. There was another clean draw, also in the Cup
Cristi Chivu can be the first coach in the history of Inter with an “event” even in his debut season on the Nerazzurri bench!
After another success of Chivu in front of Cesc Fabregas – the coach to whom Inter offered before the Romanian in the summer the position left vacant when Simone Inzaghi left for Saudi Arabia – the Italians last night challenged Cristi to respond to the comparison made with his former teacher, Jose Mourinho.
Cristi Chivu, in live discussion with moderator Monica Bertini and DAZN journalist, Federica Zille
The Portuguese managed the “event” in 2009-2010 (even the Treble, winning the Champions League), but Chivu can surpass him, with the title and the Cup awarded in his debut season on the Nerazzurri bench.
The moderator of Mediaset, the station that broadcast the match in Italy, was the one who entered into a dialogue with the coach of Inter. “Mr. Chivu, since I saw you in top form with Zille (no – Federica Zille, DAZN journalist, on the show) and Ranocchia (no – she calls him Jhonny, after Jhonny Stecchino, because he was weak when he played with Cristi), because I'm about to ask you the next question, please…”, Monica Bertini opened.
Chivu avoided putting the Mediaset moderator in a delicate situation, who would be in a relationship with one of his bosses!
Laughter immediately ensued in the studio, and on the other end of the microphone, Chivu from the stadium got in on the act: “I won't tell you anything, Monica.” And he also laughed implicitly.
Inter's sporting director, Piero Ausilio, would have been “combined” with Monica Bertini, the moderator of the Mediaset / Foto shows; X
“Well done,” Bertini replied. At which Cristi closed the sensitive topic: “I won't say anything… Otherwise I will be scolded and kicked out of the locker room.” “Perfect. It was exactly what I expected…” Monica continued to laugh inconsolably. The allusion was to the fact that rumors say that the show host is said to be in a relationship with Piero Ausilio, Inter's sporting director.
We knew how Como would play and we managed to score a lot of goals. We beat one of the best defenses in Italy. These guys are so concerned about Inter that they are fighting hard to change the situation. Only Pazza Inter (no – historical nickname, crazy Inter) can do this match madness, after recovering from a 0-2 handicap against Como twice in ten days!
– Cristi Chivucoach Inter
The skit continued with the question put to the coach: “There is a Special One who is in your shadow, Mourinho. How do you feel when you are compared to him?
“I am Cristian, I put my soul and passion into the team I train, due to the responsibility towards my players”
Chivu kept his style and answered simply: “Because you like titles. I don't. I'm Cristian, I put soul and passion into the team I train, because of the responsibility towards my players, who are wonderful, and because of them you also have great titles.
Inter won the second leg against Como, 3-2, and qualified for the Coppa Italia final. The coach Cristi Chivu was lively during the interviews.
I don't care. I'm trying to do my job as well as possible and please those who believed in me and these players and achieve some goals.”
Monica Bertini finally gave the technician the right: “It is right for him to work for his team and for his fans”. And I wish him the best of luck ahead of the final games of the season, in the two-front race in which Inter hopes to win both the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia.
We have a group of players who have worked very hard since the start of the season, and then, when they are called upon to perform, they show it. Some more and some less, depending on the day caught. The reserves gave us an enormous helping hand, Sucic, Diouf and Pio Esposito were decisive. The incredible desire of this group is to be decisive throughout the season
– Cristi Chivucoach Inter
