Cristi Chivu wrote history at Inter, in his first season as coach of the great Italian team. Quasi-debutant in senior football, the Romanian technician won the title, the Milanese being mathematically champions, with three stages before the end of the season.
The Resițean took over a team in decline, which in the previous season had lost both Il Scudetto and the Italian Cup and, moreover, had been humiliated in the final of the Champions League. No one was giving him a chance to revive a depleted team, but Chivu gritted his teeth, brought his players closer, and they rewarded him with a huge title. Cristi thus becomes the first Romanian to win the title in a Top 5 European championship and, in addition, he is only the third person in the history of Serie A who manages to win the championship both as a player and as a coach.
The 35th stage was perfect for Inter. First, the champion Napoli stumbled on Como’s pitch (0-0), then AC Milan lost at Sassuolo (0-2). For the Nerazzurri, a draw with Parma at home was enough to secure their 21st title in history. But Cristi Chivu’s team was not satisfied with just a draw and won (2-0), to make the celebration even sweeter.
City tour, in an open-top coach
The victory brought indescribable joy among the supporters, who came from all over Italy. Since only 80,000 fans could fit in the arena, tens of thousands more watched the match from Piața Domului, from the stadium yard or from the cafes in the city. All the interist breath will then gather in the famous square of Milan to hail a little expected success. The Nerazzurri have scheduled a triumphal march, in an open coach, with which they will tour the city. And who will stand at the head of it? You guessed it, Romanian Cristi Chivu!
