MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 21: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, celebrates after during the Coppa Italia Semi-Final match between FC Internazionale and Como at San Siro on April 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cristian Chivu admits ‘only the Pazza Inter can overturn a 2-0 deficit twice against Como in 10 days’ and is not holding back from winning the Double of Coppa Italia and Serie A.
It was an extraordinary match, following on from their fightback from 2-0 down to win 4-3 in Serie A on April 12.
Once again, the Nerazzurri were 2-0 down with Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha goals, but Hakan Calhanoglu’s brace and an assist for Petar Sucic turned it around for 3-2 on the night and on aggregate.
Chivu recognises Pazza Inter
“We have a squad that has been doing very well since the start of the season, so when they are called upon, they show what they can do,” Chivu told Sport Mediaset of his substitutes.
“Those who came off the bench today understood the moment and what needed to be done, so Diouf, Sucic and Pio Esposito all did their part and showed courage. This is a team that all want to be competitive all the way.”
It was unexpected that not only did Denzel Dumfries not start, but he also didn’t come on initially to replace Luis Henrique, as instead Andy Diouf was used there.
“Denzel has a fitness problem, he said he could manage the final minutes, but he felt pain in his tendon. Seeing how things were going, he said he was ready to give it a go, and I’m pleased to see the players willing to give their all for the club. We caused problems for Como out wide, Diouf did well on the right and the left.”
The Nerazzurri are on track for a Double, as they are 12 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, and now will face either Lazio or Atalanta in the Coppa Italia Final on May 13.
“We earned our place here with hard work, putting ourselves in a position that allows us to dream, to achieve the targets of the Serie A title and Coppa Italia trophy,” added Chivu.
It is remarkable that both in Serie A on April 12 and again this evening, Inter came back from 2-0 down to beat Como within 90 minutes.
“We were aware of what Como are doing, and we managed to put a lot of goals past one of the best defensive records in Italy. These lads care so much about the good of Inter that they fight this hard to turn it around.
“Overturning a 2-0 deficit against Como twice in 10 days, only the Pazza Inter can do that.”
This is the return of the old nickname ‘Crazy Inter’ that had been used in the past, but largely shelved under Antonio Conte and then Simone Inzaghi’s tenures, as they preferred seeking stability to these wild ups and downs.
The only time Inter ever won the Coppa Italia-Serie A double before was under Jose Mourinho when taking the Treble in 2010, with the Romanian in the squad, so how does Chivu feel about being compared to the Special One?
“It’s because you in the media like headlines, but I am just Cristian, my only responsibility is to these lads. I just try to do my job in the best way for those who believed in me, for these wonderful lads, and hope to bring home some of our objectives,” shrugged the former defender.
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