Inter head coach Cristian Chivu plays down the importance of Inter’s pre-season derby against Milan, saying results in August do not determine the season’s outcome. Multiple reports describe Chivu’s view that early matches are primarily for preparation rather than being judged like competitive fixtures later in the campaign. He frames the derby as an opportunity to assess his team’s physical development and progress during pre-season, rather than as a benchmark for league or title ambitions.
The coverage emphasizes that Chivu does not attach value to “August trophies” or pre-season outcomes, suggesting that performance metrics at this stage focus more on fitness, cohesion, and readiness than on the scoreline. Overall, the reporting is consistent that the derby is treated as part of Inter’s build-up, with Chivu prioritizing conditioning and improvement over winning the friendly contest against their city rivals.