Inter Milan Vs Juventus – Nerazzurri Coach: ‘Juve Getting Better, Credit To Spalletti’

Milan, Italy – When Inter Milan step onto the San Siro grass for Saturday evening’s Derby d’Italia, Cristian Chivu will see more than a historic rivalry; he will see a measuring stick. Five months removed from the chaotic 4-3 loss in Turin that threatened to derail his nascent tenure, the Nerazzurri coach believes both clubs have evolved, with Juventus’ upward trajectory under Luciano Spalletti deserving special recognition.

“They are a team that has improved with Luciano’s arrival,” Chivu told reporters at the Inter media centre, quotes carried by FCInterNews. “He has given them an identity in a short time and you can see the coach’s ideas. Individually the players have improved and they are a team that can put anyone in difficulty.”

Saturday’s clash arrives with Inter on a two-month surge of form that has stabilised the dressing room and sharpened their tactical profile. Chivu, however, warned against complacency. “We hope our performances remain of a high level. We must show the same determination we have had over the last two months.”

The Romanian tactician confirmed that midfield linchpins Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu have returned to full training and are available for selection, bolstering a squad already buoyed by Federico Dimarco’s creative influence from the left flank. “When Inter attack, they hurt you,” Chivu said. “We have quality in midfield and Dimarco gives many solutions with his delivery.”

Juventus, meanwhile, will present a hybrid system built on positional fluidity, a hallmark Spalletti has imprinted quickly since taking the reins. “They have mobility,” Chivu noted. “They have several ways to hurt you and they have shown that in recent games. We must be ready and accept that sometimes dominance passes from one team to the other.”

The psychological stakes of a derby can warp preparation, yet Chivu insists he keeps the emotional volume at a steady hum. “I never felt the weight of a derby or a match against Juventus. The secret is not to create pressure for yourself.” He praised Juventus’ decision to spare Spalletti mid-week media duties, sending Manuel Locatelli instead. “When there are so many competitions, speaking every three days becomes difficult because the concepts do not change. I share Juventus’ choice.”

Saturday will also stage a family subplot: Marcus Thuram lining up against younger brother Khephren, now in Bianconero. Chivu smiled at the narrative. “I will tell him to laugh with his little brother because he loves him. Marcus is a sunny boy… Maybe he needs to be more selfish in front of goal and more ruthless.”

Refereeing controversies have swirled around Serie A in recent weeks, but Chivu refused to fan the flames. “Errors are human. The problems of Italian football are not the referees,” he said pointedly. “I was chosen to find solutions, not to complain.”

Inter enter the weekend aware that a victory would widen the psychological gap on a direct rival, yet Chivu cautioned against viewing the fixture as a title hinge. “We always go onto the pitch to win, but the league is still long. Any result now makes more difference psychologically than in the table.”

For the Nerazzurri, the true objective is continuity: proving the defensive steel and attacking verve displayed over the past eight weeks can survive against elite opposition. “Equilibrium is fundamental in football,” Chivu concluded. “If you behave with ambition every day, everything becomes easier even in difficult moments.”

By the final whistle on Saturday night, Inter will know whether their evolution under Chivu has matched Juventus’ reinvention under Spalletti. The Derby d’Italia rarely lacks theatre; this edition promises to be another compelling chapter in a rivalry that continues to shape the Serie A landscape.