Cristian Chivu takes a short-handed Inter into Saturday's derby joint top of Serie A but still searching for a first win over Milan since April 2024. The coach conceded the drought demands answers while insisting the result will not settle the title race.

Cristian Chivu offered no excuses on the eve of the Milan derby. His side lead Serie A level with Lazio and sit well clear of their city rivals. Yet Milan remain the one opponent Inter cannot seem to beat. Chivu said a run this long without a derby win means Inter need to ask themselves questions. He also argued that last season showed a derby does not necessarily decide the title.

Inter’s derby drought has outlasted their strong league form

Inter’s last win over Milan was a 2-1 away victory on April 22, 2024, according to Lega Serie A. Milan have won five of the last eight meetings. One of those was a 1-0 win on March 8, 2026. That result was also Inter’s last home defeat across Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

That March derby is also the last game in which Inter failed to score in the league. They have found the net in 19 consecutive Serie A matches since. That is the longest active run in the division. Inter have also earned 13 points after falling behind, more than any other Serie A team, Milan’s own club preview noted.

The form lines point in opposite directions. Milan come into the game after a 4-2 home defeat to Bologna. Inter, by contrast, have dropped points only rarely this season. The derby also carries a curiosity. It is the first Milan derby since January 24, 2010, with a foreign head coach on each bench.

Chivu faces Milan without Lautaro and four other injured players

Chivu confirmed that none of his injured players will return in time. Lautaro, Stones, Pavard, Jones and Luis Henrique are all ruled out.

The coach suggested the derby demands a different approach. He said he would sometimes like his team to play more like a “provincial” side. In his view, the derby forces a team to do more things and do them well.

Chivu also spoke about the strain of the job. He was asked whether he would still be Inter’s coach when the club’s new stadium opens. That stadium is planned for before 2032. In reply, he warned that coaches under constant pressure can end up in “hospital”.

The derby, Serie A matchday 10, kicks off on Saturday, October 31, at 20:45 at San Siro. It will be shown live on DAZN and Sky. Inter TV’s pre-match Livematch show starts at 19:30 CET and also streams on the club’s YouTube channel.