Chivu insists Milan derby won't decide title race
Cristian Chivu insists the result of the Milan derby will not be decisive in the Serie A title race, with Inter Milan looking to pull further clear of AC Milan.
Inter currently sits top of the table on 25 points – above Lazio on goal difference – and has a seven-point cushion over its biggest rival, which is in fifth.
The Nerazzurri are also one of the remaining three teams that hold an unbeaten record after nine Serie A games this term, while AC Milan suffered its first loss of the league campaign in midweek against Bologna.
Inter won the Scudetto last term but failed to beat AC Milan in both of their league meetings, but Chivu does not believe his side needs more motivation ahead of the first Derby della Madonnina of the season.
"They're ready and aware of the fact that it's a derby," he said.
"It's always an added motivation to play in this game. The table doesn't matter; it doesn't count for anything.
"We know Milan's strengths and how they can hurt us. They're a good technical team; we have to be ready to maintain our compactness and to cover in depth.
"We have to treat it as a league game. We can’t just be satisfied with what we've done so far. We have to be the best version of ourselves.
"We also have to ask questions of ourselves if we haven't won in the last seven derbies. Isolated incidents; moments have gone in their favour, like the first game last year. We have to make a few more sacrifices.
"Last season taught me that the derby is not decisive. It's a big Serie A challenge, like always; three points are up for grabs. It's only the 10th game of the season.
"There are no favourites in derbies. There is a lot of desire and ambition. You need to find the energy and the motivation. There is pressure on everyone, but we can't think too much about that. You just have to do the right things."
Inter has scored in each of its past 19 Serie A matches, the longest current run among teams currently in the top-flight. However, AC Milan was the opponent when Inter most recently failed to hit the back of the net, in March.
"I've had coaches who start from the principle that teams should not concede," Chivu said.
"I'm not the sort of coach who prefers to attack rather than defend. You have to understand the moments in games and the moments when you have to give everything. The task is to find the right balance.
"If you lose 1-0, it's bad, but you're happy if you win 1-0. Although if Inter do it, they always find something to say about it.
"I want my players to give everything and to go out there with their heads held high and to be able to say that they tried."
