Inter coach Chivu plays down Milan derby: ‘August trophies count for nothing’
Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu downplayed the importance of a pre-season friendly match against AC Milan in Perth. He emphasized that his focus remains on player physical conditioning rather than the result of exhibition games.
Why it matters
It highlights the logistical and strategic challenges of professional football clubs playing exhibition matches abroad during pre-season.
Cristian Chivu has played down the significance of Inter 's pre-season derby against Milan , insisting that results in August matter little as he focuses on his side's physical progress.
With quotes via Tuttomercatoweb , the Inter coach was speaking on the eve of the friendly, which takes place in Perth on Wednesday evening.
Chivu made clear that performance, not the scoreline, was his concern. "I want to see growth, physically and in terms of condition, I'm not looking at the type of match we have to face," he said. "Tomorrow is a friendly, and August trophies count for nothing."
Asked whether he would accept winning the Scudetto again even at the cost of losing both league derbies, Chivu deflected. "That's a question for the fans," he said. "I'm the coach, I have to worry about getting my players into the best possible condition for the start of the season."
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