Inter Milan supervisor Cristian Chivu waxed lyrical about Francesco Pio Esposito after tonight’s house conquer Lecce.
Talking to DAZN by way of , the 45-year-old coach defined his relationship with the prodigious striker.
Commercial
made a number of adjustments to the beginning lineup that confronted Napoli on Sunday.
Certainly, he gave his maiden Serie A begin whereas changing Lautaro Martinez with Ange-Yoan Bonny.
Nevertheless, his tactical alterations nearly backfired on Inter, who solely discovered the breakthrough within the 78th minute.
opened his Serie A account at Stadio San Siro off the bench to encourage the Nerazzurri to a valuable victory.
Furthermore, Chivu’s males have now gained three of their final 4 house league matches, apart from Sunday’s draw towards .
Because of this, they’ve stretched their lead over runners-up AC Milan to 6 factors, placing extra stress on their bitter rivals.
Commercial
Massimiliano Allegri’s facet should beat Como on the street tomorrow to remain inside touching distance, highlighting the significance of Esposito’s winner.
Cristian Chivu Hails Pio Esposito After Inter Milan 1-0 Lecce Win
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his crew’s first purpose with Lautaro Martinez #10 through the FIFA Membership World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Area on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photograph by Buda Mendes/Getty Photos)
“He was a small child, tall,” Chivu acknowledged. “He barely reached my chest. We’ve virtually grown up collectively.
Commercial
“I do know his household, I do know his background, his journey by way of the youth system.
“He was an underage captain in my Inter Primavera. I’m completely satisfied for him, simply as I’m for the crew, as a result of right this moment was a troublesome match.”
Then, he delivered his verdict on Lecce’s cussed defensive efficiency.
“I used to be anticipating a troublesome recreation,” Chivu added. “Whenever you expend a lot vitality, as you probably did on Sunday evening, and whenever you fail to succeed in your ambitions, it reveals.
“I’ve additionally skilled moments the place enjoying once more after 72 hours wasn’t the simplest factor.
‘What I take from that is the perspective of a crew that, regardless of struggling to seek out fluency and readability of their play, believed till the very finish, leaving their soul and coronary heart on the pitch to win the match.
Commercial
“These are video games you’re extra more likely to lose than to win. I’m completely satisfied for them as a result of they deserve it.
“Regardless of the difficulties, they did all the things potential to convey it house.”
Inter Milan Boss Cristian Chivu Explains His Determination to Give His Squad a Day Off
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Cristian Chivu, head coach of Inter, reacts through the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photograph by Simone Arveda/Getty Photos)
Chivu granted his crew a time off yesterday, prioritizing their psychological freshness forward of bodily preparations.
Commercial
Regardless of Inter’s underwhelming first-half show, it will definitely paid off.
“We may simply as properly flip the query round and say we gained because of the time off,” Chivu mentioned.
“Every part is relative. I don’t need to justify my selections.
“I don’t coach for my very own conscience, however primarily based on my expertise and on what I see within the eyes of those gamers.
“Typically I make selections which will appear unusual as a result of Italian soccer isn’t used to them.
“Nevertheless, at occasions, you want the braveness to make sure selections.
“They could repay or they could not, however what issues to me is all the things that lies forward within the subsequent 5 months of this season.”
Commercial
Furthermore, Inter had been topped winter champions, courtesy of tonight’s victory.
“I’ve gained this semi-title earlier than as a participant,” Chivu claimed.
“However what issues to me is reaching Might conscious that we’re aggressive and staying hooked up to the highest of the desk, as a result of it is going to be a point-by-point league and a battle till the tip.”
Lastly, he hailed his crew’s work on the coaching pitch.
“For what number of I’ve accomplished, I ought to have gained the league yearly. You want readability.
“I don’t coach for my very own conscience or simply to get a consequence the subsequent day. And I belief my gamers and their maturity.
“I’m proud of how they work day by day regardless of the difficulties.”