Inter Milan’s coach, Cristian Chivu, emphasized that becoming Winter Champions means nothing as the team looks ahead to May, where the real battle for the Scudetto will be decided.
Inter secured the top spot at the halfway mark of the Serie A season with a 1-0 win over Lecce, thanks to a late goal from Francesco Pio Esposito.
“We know it’s a battle to the end for every single point,” Chivu said, highlighting the intense competition in the league. Napoli’s draw with Parma earlier in the evening gave Inter the opportunity to take a significant lead at the top of the table.
Chivu praised Esposito, who came off the bench to score the winning goal, saying, “I remember this little seven-year-old kid, we practically grew up together.” The coach has a long-standing bond with Esposito, who was his captain in the Inter Primavera squad.
The first half against Lecce was sluggish, but Chivu expected it to be tough given the team’s recent match against Napoli. “I remember as a player, facing another game 72 hours later was one of the toughest things to do,” he explained.
Despite the slow start, Inter showed the right attitude and believed in their chances, eventually breaking down Lecce’s defense. “These lads deserve success, as they did everything to bring the result home,” Chivu said.
