Chivu not focused on Serie A table but Inter proving Scudetto doubters wrong

Cristian Chivu insisted that he was not focused on the current state of the Serie A table after his team reclaimed top spot with a 2-1 victory over Genoa on Sunday. 

Lautaro Martinez starred with a goal and an assist for Yann Bisseck in the first half, rendering Vitinha's 68th-minute strike a consolation at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris. 

Indeed, the result saw Inter beat Genoa away in Serie A for the first time since October 2020, ending a run of three away matches against the Grifone in the top-flight (D3). 

But, more importantly, the Nerazzurri capitalised on AC Milan's 2-2 draw with Sassuolo and Napoli's 1-0 defeat away to Udinese earlier in the day. 

The Opta supercomputer predicts Inter to win the Scudetto in 50% of its season-led simulations, but Chivu was keen to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. 

"I like to talk about the game and what I saw on the pitch," Chivu told reporters.

"It was a difficult game tonight, in this atmosphere and against a team that has been strong since De Rossi came in. I'll take the three points, which are the most important thing."

Inter (W5 L2) have also now won at least five of their first seven away league games for three seasons in a row for the first time in their Serie A history. 

Chivu was asked if he feels his Inter side have been underrated at times this campaign, to which he replied: "A few months ago, they had us finishing eighth or tenth because we looked finished. We're working hard to show our value. 

"For me, we need a bit of consistency in everything, but we're aware of what we have to do and how we have to do it. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don't." 

Inter were deserving of their win, having registered an expected goals (xG) total of 1.3 from their 18 attempts to Genoa's 0.9 from their five shots at Yann Sommer's net. 

Chivu responded to Vitinha's goal by introducing Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan six minutes later in place of Petar Sucic and Francesco Pio Esposito. 

"The changes were made according to energy and form. Originally, at 2-0, Bonny was supposed to come on, but then I opted for Thuram because I needed more speed," he said. 

"I took Zielinski off and moved Akanji up because we needed two midfielders with a strong structure."

And after reclaiming top spot, Inter's attention will now turn to the Supercoppa Italiana, where they were beaten 3-2 in last year's showpiece match by rivals Milan. 

They face Coppa Italia holders Bologna in Riyadh on December 19, with the importance of sealing a record-equalling ninth title not lost on Chivu.

"An important game lies ahead of us in Riyadh. We're not looking at anything else," Chivu said.