Chivu Urges Inter to Earn Scudetto Defence Ahead of Parma Clash

Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has played down early discussion of the Serie A title race, insisting the champions must earn any chance of retaining the Scudetto as they prepare to face Parma at San Siro on Saturday.

Key takeaways

• Inter are second in Serie A after five matches, having collected 13 points.
• Chivu challenged the repeated framing of other clubs as an “anti-Inter” in the championship race.
• The coach said the current gap is too small for meaningful title conclusions, with teams on 11 points.
• Inter will meet Parma, now managed by Alberto Gilardino after Carlos Cuesta’s exit.
• The Nerazzurri are seeking to preserve their unbeaten league opening.

Chivu rejects early Scudetto narrative

Gian Piero Gasperini’s comments on the developing title contest brought the subject into focus, but Chivu believes the language around Inter has become unnecessarily narrow. He questioned why the competition is so often presented through the search for a club capable of stopping the reigning champions.

“Why do we not speak about anti-Roma, anti-Como, anti-Juve or anti-Milan, and instead always speak about anti-Inter?” Chivu said.

Inter’s status as champions, he stressed, does not provide any protection in a new campaign. Chivu said his players understand their standing but must continue to compete for every result if they are to finish the season successfully.

“We know what we are, but we have to fight to turn our competitiveness into something worthwhile,” he said. “Nobody has to tell us that we want to wear the crown. We have to fight for it.”

With Inter on 13 points and other sides only two points behind, Chivu said it was premature to attach major significance to the table. “It is too soon for this discussion,” he added.

Parma test demands full concentration

Chivu pointed to last season as evidence that reputation alone does not decide a championship. Inter dropped points in derbies and other major fixtures, but their ability to avoid further slips elsewhere proved decisive in the title-winning run.

“Matches on paper do not mean anything; they do not reveal the full truth,” he said. “We lost derbies and other important matches, but we did not make errors in the other games, and that is why we won the league.”

The Inter coach wants the same application this time around, underlining that every victory requires commitment. “We have to work and give everything to win each match,” he said.

That message will apply immediately against Parma. The visitors arrive under new manager Alberto Gilardino, who has taken over following the departure of Carlos Cuesta. Chivu expects a combative opponent and has demanded that Inter begin with maximum attention from the opening whistle.