Chivu counters Conte ahead of Inter's Bologna test
Antonio Conte suggested Napoli's rivals are better-equipped in the Serie A title race, but Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu disagreed ahead of hosting Bologna at San Siro on Monday (AEDT).
Second-place Inter is firmly in the mix, two points behind city rival AC Milan, on which is also has a game in hand.
The Nerazzurri also face competition from Roma, Juventus and reigning champion Napoli, with the latter's head coach, Antonio Conte, suggesting their title rivals were better structured than the defending champion.
However, Chivu was not interested when asked about Conte's observations.
"The way I've always seen football, as a player and as a coach, talks and controversies are external to the game and bring nothing," he said.
"They don't affect the final result; they are useless. They have little impact, except at a media level, and have nothing to do with this sport.
"Personally, I laugh when there’s too much talk about things that have nothing to do with reality; they actually make me focus even more on my work.
"All we can say is that, at the moment, five teams are fighting for the Scudetto, and the differences are minimal."
Inter can potentially go top of Serie A with victory over seventh-place Bologna at San Siro.
The Rossoblu are without a win in four league matches, but Chivu is not taking his side's opponent for granted.
"We know it's a tricky game against a team that puts everyone in trouble because they have identity and intensity," he added.
"Bologna put obstacles in your way, even in simple situations. They have strong wingers on inverted feet, and midfielders with physical presence.
"They also know how to go man-to-man; they have legs and good timing, and determination.
"Even if you beat the first line of pressure, many of them track back, so we need to be careful and do some things better, with a strong sense of responsibility.
"I like it when my players show courage and risk committing a foul to win the ball back."
