Chivu: ‘Inter have no time to think, already turned a new page’

Cristian Chivu insists Inter ‘don’t have time’ to feel bad about their Champions League exit, as they host Genoa this evening in Serie A. ‘We’ve already turned the page.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Como-Lecce and Verona-Napoli on the Liveblog.

Although they are 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table and preparing for the Coppa Italia semi-final against Como, the fact remains the Nerazzurri were bitterly disappointed by their Champions League exit.

Losing both home and away to Norwegians Bodo/Glimt saw them crash out in the play-offs, having reached the Final in two of the last three seasons.

Chivu keeps Inter focused on the future

“We don’t have time to think about it, we play every three days and this is a different tournament,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.

“We’ve got to get our energy back and give a sense of consistency to our Serie A results, even if we have done well in this competition so far.”

This is a showdown with Chivu’s former Roma teammate Daniele De Rossi, who has rebooted Genoa on the bench.

“It’s going to be very difficult, as they know how to defend deep or strike with the quality of their forwards. He’s doing a great job, has some very interesting ideas, and it will not be an easy match.”

Lautaro Martinez is still out of action after sustaining a soleus strain in Norway, with Hakan Calhanoglu only fit for the bench.

Alessandro Bastoni is suspended in defence this evening, though there was some good news with the return of Denzel Dumfries midweek after ankle surgery in November.

“We have four strikers who are all having a fantastic season, they work so hard for the team. We have already turned the page, we want to be competitive to the end in Serie A and the Coppa Italia,” concluded Chivu.