Inter moved four points clear at the top of Serie A after a 2-0 win over Parma, with Cristian Chivu stressing that the league offers no straightforward fixtures and highlighting the value of the result, as Marcus Thuram struck deep into stoppage time and Federico Dimarco continued an outstanding scoring and assisting record from defence.
Inter controlled most of the contest at Parma on Wednesday, especially before half-time, yet Chivu still warned against any sense of comfort in the title race, noting the difficult playing conditions and the stubborn defensive block that Inter had to unlock over 90 tense minutes.
The breakthrough arrived shortly before the interval when Federico Dimarco finished clinically with the right foot, capping Inter’s
sustained pressure, while earlier in the half both Yann Bisseck and Francesco Pio Esposito had already rattled the frame of the goal as Parma struggled to escape their own half.
Marcus Thuram came off the bench and scored in the 98th minute, registering the latest Serie A goal for Inter since the competition reverted to a 20-team format in 2004-05, finally ending Parma’s resistance and making sure Chivu’s side capitalised on a crucial opportunity in the title race.
Since joining Inter in the 2021-22 campaign, Federico Dimarco has become one of the most productive defenders in Europe’s major competitions, producing 18 goals and 23 assists for a total of 41 direct goal contributions across league play in the top five European leagues.
Only Jeremie Frimpong with 49, Jonathan Clauss with 48 and Trent Alexander-Arnold with 42 have been involved in more league goals among defenders in that period across Europe’s top five leagues, while only Frimpong, with 48 for Bayer Leverkusen before moving to Liverpool, has contributed more goals for a single club than Dimarco’s 41 for Inter, a figure matched only by Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool.
Inter Serie A focus and defensive solidity praised
Chivu rotated the starting line-up with Sunday’s meeting against Napoli in mind, yet still praised the mentality shown by the group after a demanding evening, stressing that the players embraced the challenge despite heavy squad changes and treated the trip to Parma with the same seriousness as a direct clash with a title rival.
Reflecting on the challenge of breaking down Parma’s deep defensive unit and the importance of Inter’s approach in such fixtures, Chivu told Sky Sports Italia: "In Serie A, there are no games you can underestimate; dangers are always around the corner, he told Sky Sports Italia. Its not easy to break their line with 10 players behind the ball, so we tried to get into the box with crosses and shots from distance. What really matters, though, is the win, and the players attitude, which was exceptional. "
Chivu also highlighted the contribution of the back line after Inter collected a ninth clean sheet of this Serie A season, noting how the defenders adapted to the surface and opposition tactics while limiting Parma’s counter-attacking threat during a match where concentration and positioning were tested throughout.
Chivu said: "He is important, just like [Yann] Bisseck, [Francesco] Acerbi, [Stefan] de Vrijand Carlos Augusto, who played a great match. He handles speed well and is good at covering gaps on counter-attacks. Its never easy to play against a low block; you always have to stay fully focused. When you move the ball, theres always a risk of getting complacent. But from a focus standpoint, Im very happy with what we achieved. "
Chivu's analysis after tonight's win https://t.co/rVproHJeTR pic.twitter.com/GkmVB4Z6z6Inter (@Inter_en) January 7, 2026
Inter Serie A title race turns to Napoli showdown
With the Parma assignment completed, Inter now prepare to host reigning champions Napoli in a significant top-of-the-table encounter, where victory would move Chivu’s team seven points clear and send a strong message in the Serie A title contest at the halfway stage of the campaign.
Discussing that meeting with Napoli and the broader context of the league schedule, Chivu added: "We are aware of the importance of the game against Napoli, Chivu added. We are halfway through the season; every match and every point is important, and we are conscious of that fact. Inter and Napoli are two teams with individual quality and great intensity. "
The win at Parma extends Inter’s advantage in Serie A while reinforcing faith in squad depth, with Dimarco’s attacking impact from defence, Thuram’s late goal and another clean sheet combining to give Chivu momentum before the crucial clash against Napoli, where Inter seek to build further on this strong position.
