Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu expressed optimism that his Italy players will swiftly recover from their country’s unexpected defeat in the World Cup playoff final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Five players from Inter—Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Pio Esposito, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, and Davide Frattesi—were part of the lineup during the midweek loss on penalties.
Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, has now failed to qualify for the finals for the third consecutive tournament. Bastoni received a red card, while Esposito was among the two players who missed their penalties in the decisive shootout.
Chivu, whose Serie A leaders are eager to break a streak of three winless league matches against Roma at San Siro this Sunday, stated, “Many fans are supporting all the players.”
“I have champions in my squad. They possess remarkable character and the resilience to recover from setbacks,” he continued. “They understand that not every goal is attainable. The vital part is to bounce back and demonstrate your character. We have the support of our fans, and they know that setbacks are a part of the sport.”
“I have faith in the team. Since I took charge, I’ve witnessed many positives. I lead exceptional individuals who uphold strong values.” Chivu added, “We are at the top of the league, competitive, and in line with our objectives.”
Serie A’s top scorer, Lautaro Martínez, is poised to provide a significant boost as he returns to the squad after a lengthy injury layoff.
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The Argentine forward, who has tallied 14 goals in Serie A this season, has been sidelined for the last seven matches due to a calf injury.
Chivu remarked, “At this level, every player is crucial. Lautaro is key, as are Luis Henrique and Andy Diouf. Everyone is prepared to contribute.”
“We are aware of Roma’s capabilities. Their coach has made a significant impact, and they are performing well. This is a vital match; with eight games remaining, each one is critical. We need to bring intensity and readiness. Facing [Roma coach Gian Piero] Gasperini is always challenging, and we will need to bring character on Sunday. We anticipate a tough contest.”
Despite earning only two points from their last three games, Inter maintains a six-point lead over nearest rivals AC Milan at the top of the table and has remained unbeaten at home since late November.
Roma’s hopes for a Champions League spot have dimmed, having won only three of their last nine league matches, placing them sixth and eight points behind third-place Napoli.