Chivu: Inter perhaps not deserving of Supercoppa spot, but we want to win

Cristian Chivu suggested that his Inter team perhaps did not deserve to be competing in the Supercoppa Italiana, but insisted he will do everything in his power to try and win it. 

Inter take on Coppa Italia winners Bologna at Al-Awwal Park on Friday, aiming to win a record-equalling ninth title in the competition and their first since their 2023 success. 

The format of the tournament was changed two years ago, with the previous 35 editions of the competition being a one-off match between the Serie A and Coppa Italia winners. 

Now, the runners-up of both aforementioned competitions also take part, with Scudetto holders Napoli and Coppa Italia runners-up AC Milan also out in Riyadh and facing off in the other semi-final on Thursday. 

Inter won three consecutive editions from 2021 to 2023, and Chivu is hoping the Nerazzurri can join Juventus as the all-time top performers in the competition.

"It's a trophy you can win with two games. This team can still grow. It has the desire and ambition to keep moving along this path," Chivu said, via FcInter1908.

"Maybe we don't deserve to be here, but we're taking advantage of the new format. This mini-tournament is a gift for Milan and us.

"We're here, so we want to play all the way to the end."

Chivu won nine major honours during his time with the Nerazzurri as a player, including two Supercoppa Italiana titles in 2008 and 2010, under Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez. 

However, the chance to win a first piece of silverware since taking the reins from Simone Inzaghi in June has not given Chivu any extra motivation. 

"It doesn't change anything for me. I'm not chasing a reputation. I'd be happy for them [the players]. I'm enjoying our growth," Chivu added. 

"We want to show how good and valuable these players are around Italy and Europe. 

"They deserve a lot for who they are as people. We have the desire and the awareness of what we want and what we can do."

But Chivu acknowledged the difficulties his team will face against Bologna, who find themselves sixth in Serie A and just five points adrift of the top four. 

Indeed, Bologna are unbeaten in five of their last six meetings against Inter in all competitions (W3 D2), after losing 11 of their previous 16 official games against them (W3 D2).

And after their 1-0 win in the most recent Serie A match in April, Bologna could put together back-to-back wins against Inter in all competitions for the first time since between May and November 1999. 

This will, however, be Bologna's first-ever match in the Supercoppa Italiana. Only two of the last eight teams to play their first game in the competition have won (L6). 

"Bologna aren't a tricky team just for Inter, but for everyone," Chivu continued. "They were before with Thiago Motta and with Sinisa [Mihajlovic], and they are still with Italiano.

"They have energy and for things that put anyone in trouble, we have to match their intensity."