ROME (AP) — Europe is best known for its memorable defeat In recent seasons, Inter Milan have remained a force at home in Italy.
Inter are moving closer to that goal in Cristian Chivu’s first season in charge Serie A If they win the title and also reach the Italian Cup final, they could still win two more trophies.
If Inter win in Turin and Napoli and AC Milan fail to win this weekend, Inter could win the Italian league title with four matches remaining.
The domestic success comes in contrast to Inter’s banishment from this season’s Champions League by Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. Last season, they lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Inter have never won the league and the cup in the same season since 2010, when Jose Mourinho led them to the treble.
Chivu played in the 2010 team and quickly made a name for himself as a coach after helping Parma avoid relegation last season.
Asked about being compared to Mourinho, Chivu said: “I’m just Christian. My only responsibility is to the players.” “I’m just trying to do my job in the best way I can for the people who believed in me and the great players. I hope to achieve some of our goals.”
After Inter came from two goals behind to beat Como 3-2 in the Italian Cup semi-final on Tuesday, Chivu was asked about his chances of winning both trophies. Inter will face Lazio in the final on May 13th.
major matches
Sunday’s match between second-placed Milan and fourth-placed Juventus is not just about securing Champions League qualification.
It will also be a matchup between the top two players on the U.S. national team in Italy.
Milan forward Christian Pulisic has not scored for club or country since December, but McKennie has been an essential player for Juventus since Luciano Spalletti took over as manager in October.
After this meeting, Pulisic and McKennie will not meet again until they unite at the national team training camp for their home World Cup.
Featured players
Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez used a butterfly position borrowed from hockey goalkeepers to make a number of spectacular saves against Como in the Italian Cup.
By taking a knee and raising his arms to cover more space, Martinez was able to make reflexive saves look easy.
Still, Martinez remains Inter’s second-choice keeper behind Jan Sommer, who is expected to start against Turin on Sunday.
Activity suspended
Inter’s captain and top scorer in Serie A, Lautaro Martínez, remains sidelined due to a muscle problem.
off the field
Authorities in Milan are investigating a prostitution ring allegedly involving more than 70 soccer players. No players were officially investigated, but four people were arrested on suspicion of arranging escort services.
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