Chivu warns: Inter must focus on the game against Lazio before the final.

Cristian Chivu issues a strong warning: Inter Milan must honor their match against Lazio before the Coppa Italia final, while Lautaro Martinez “needs” Marcus Thuram by his side to shine. The pressure is mounting at the Stadio Olimpico, where the clash kicks off at 18:00 local time (17:00 in Portugal), in a decisive match to keep the flame alive ahead of the crucial showdown with the same rivals in the cup final.

Inter has already secured the Scudetto with three matchdays to spare, but their ambition does not stop there. The Milan team is preparing to fight for the coveted Double, something unprecedented since José Mourinho’s historic campaign in 2010 when they achieved the Treble. The task is tough, but the Romanian coach’s message is clear: “This is a Serie A game, the Coppa Italia is another championship, so we must respect this competition, maintain the principles that have brought us here, and keep our total focus because this is a real, competitive game.”

Chivu, who has taken command of Inter with authority, makes it clear that the title already won is no excuse to ease off: “Even as Italian Champions, we have to honor this competition until the end.”

In terms of squad management, the coach is preparing to rotate some players, giving opportunities to names like Davide Frattesi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to play more regularly. The return of Lautaro Martinez to the starting eleven is crucial for the Argentine to regain competitive rhythm after a recent muscle injury. “Lautaro showed last week, coming off the bench against Parma, that he is progressing well. We hope to give him about an hour of play today to regain his rhythm. Marcus Thuram starts because Lautaro needs his partner; they work very well together,” Chivu explained, emphasizing the importance of the synergy between the two forwards for the team’s success.

In addition to the sporting aspect, Inter experienced emotional moments this Tuesday. Players, coaching staff, and management visited the Vatican, where they met with Pope Leo, who congratulated them on winning the Serie A title. However, the club is in mourning for the loss of its legend, Evaristo Beccalossi. To pay tribute, Inter will wear black armbands as a sign of respect for the legacy of the former star. “We send our condolences to the family and to the entire Inter family. His daughter, Gaia, has worked with us for many years. He embodied the true spirit of Interismo, which means being part of this club, and we are sad to have lost someone so special,” lamented Chivu.

As the season reaches its peak, Inter Milan is determined to maintain its dominance, but the coach’s warning is clear: every game, whether in the league or the cup, deserves maximum commitment. The moment of truth is approaching, and the Nerazzurri have everything in place to write a new glorious chapter in the club’s history.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.