Chivu: ‘I take responsibility for wrong starting 11’ as Parma fight back

PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Parma Calcio, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Cristian Chivu takes responsibility not for introducing the Parma players who turned it around against Inter, but for ‘getting it wrong with the starting XI. All we needed was a spark.’

Inter had been leading 2-0 at the Stadio Tardini with Matteo Darmian and a comically scuffed Marcus Thuram effort, but the coach made three changes at the break and they came out with a completely different attitude.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Parma 2-2 Inter

It paid off, as Adrian Bernabe and Jacob Ondrejka scored in the space of nine minutes to complete the comeback for a 2-2 draw.

“I got it wrong with choosing the starting XI, but not on the general tactical plan,” Chivu told DAZN of his 3-5-2 formation to mirror Inter.

“I apologised to Pontus Almqvist for having asked him to do those duties, I take full responsibility for my errors.

“I try to leave the door open to different shapes, so we can adapt to the strategy of our opponents. Everything changed in the second half, including Inter’s attitude, as they were less aggressive.

“Perhaps they thought that it was already done and dusted, which allowed us to get back into the game and create some more chances. Ondrejka also has that change of pace.”

Chivu has revitalised Parma

Parma have certainly improved since Chivu took over from sacked Fabio Maresca on February 18, steadying the ship with just one defeat, four draws and a victory.

“I was pleased to see the team had such belief, as it wasn’t easy against Inter when 2-0 down,” continued the Romanian.

“All we needed was a spark, to create a bit of apprehension in the Inter players. We managed to find courage as the game wore on and those who came off the bench did really well too.”

The Romanian was a fan favourite at San Siro, where he played most of his time there wearing a protective helmet after a devastating head injury, but he may well have put a big spanner in the works of their Scudetto ambitions today.

“I do not deny my past, Inter gave me the opportunity to grow, and they will always have my gratitude. Facing your club is never easy, but now I am at Parma and we must maintain humility to secure safety. We must remember that we can and must do better,” concluded Chivu.