Inter Maturity Shines As 2-0 Win Over Cremonese Earns Chivu's Praise

Inter moved eight points clear at the top of Serie A after a composed 2-0 victory over Cremonese, with Cristian Chivu praising the team’s control under pressure. Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski scored in the first half at Stadio Giovanni Zini, extending Inter’s unbeaten league sequence to 11 matches in the 2025-26 campaign.

The result also preserved Inter’s flawless record against Serie A sides in the lower half of the table this season, with 12 wins from 12 such fixtures and 33 goals scored. Chivu’s team registered a seventh away clean sheet of the league campaign, a figure no other club in Europe’s top five leagues has surpassed so far.

Inter’s numbers in Cremona underlined that advantage. The Nerazzurri produced an expected goals total

of 1.4 from 15 attempts, while Cremonese generated 0.7 from nine shots. Inter’s ability to limit clear chances for the hosts matched their consistent defensive record away from home this season.

Chivu stressed that the performance went beyond statistics, focusing on how Inter managed different phases of the match. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Chivu said: "I saw maturity in understanding the right moments of the match, and the ways of getting to victory. In terms of dominating the game, we were always in charge, although they didn’t allow us very much. "

Inter travelled without Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Augusto, with all four ruled out through injury. Those absences led Chivu to select Davide Frattesi from the start in midfield, a rare league opportunity this season for the Italy international, who featured for an hour.

Chivu acknowledged that Inter needed to adapt their rhythm during the contest. "We were a little slow in moving the ball around, because we lacked energy to attack their deep defensive lines, but then we went in front before half-time. It was a little more relaxed after the break, as obviously some fatigue set in, but the important thing was to win, and we did it. "

Frattesi was replaced on 60 minutes by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, prompting further discussion about the midfielder’s future. Nottingham Forest have been linked with a possible move, yet Inter director Beppe Marotta has stated that Frattesi has not submitted a request to leave the club during this period.

Chivu underlined Frattesi’s value when asked about the transfer speculation. "Frattesi is an Inter player, and for me, he is an important figure in the squad," added Chivu. "He has to prove it on the field and in training, because we trust his qualities. We need him in great shape for the final months of the season, so that he can give us something extra that, at times, we are missing in some games. "

The victory, combined with Inter’s strong defensive platform and perfect record against lower-half opposition, strengthened their position in the Serie A title race. With key midfielders returning from injury in the coming weeks and Frattesi still in the squad, Chivu will look to maintain this level of control during the remaining months.

Nights like thesepic.twitter.com/EREs195jpoInter(@Inter_en) February 1, 2026