Chivu observes Dragusin’s progress
Inter secured a 2-1 victory against Fiorentina at San Siro on 25 October 2026, keeping them tied with Lazio at the top of Serie A with 22 points. I watched Cristi Chivu manage a dramatic comeback after his side conceded a 65th-minute goal from Alex Jimenez, who fired a superb shot into the corner of Provedel’s net to give the visitors a lead. Chivu addressed Radu Dragusin’s performance after the match, noting the defender’s need for time and confidence following a long injury. Chivu said, "Radu is Radu. He comes after a long injury, he needs confidence, he needs time, he needs matches." He also remarked that Dragusin seems to grow from match to match. Chivu’s squad had to overcome a significant setback after Jimenez’s strike, but Chivu insisted that certain unfair moments did not demoralize the team. This result continues a strong run for Inter, who previously beat Bologna 3-1, Parma 3-0, and Udinese 5-3.
Defensive stability and media grades
Dragusin earned a 6 out of 10 from both Tutto Mercato and Viola News for his work in San Siro, where he formed a partnership with Marin Pongracic that limited Inter’s offensive potential for a time. He faced difficulties after Pongracic left the pitch in the 51st minute due to a serious injury, forcing Viery into the game. Viola News reported that Dragusin showed concentration and physical strength, even as the match grew more difficult for the visitors. I note that Dragusin has played every minute of the 8 Serie A matches this season and has contributed one assist. He also had to contend with the movement of Mkhitaryan and Thuram throughout the match. Jimenez provided little support to him, whereas Fagioli’s intervention helped save a decent performance. Dragusin described Chivu as "a model for all Romanian and international defenders." He also noted that he and Chivu merely exchanged greetings and wished each other luck at the end of the game. Dragusin felt his defensive performance was solid, though he admitted the team retreated too much after his goal, which allowed Inter to press.
| Team | Points | Position | Goals Conceded (8 matches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter | 22 | 1st | 10 |
| Fiorentina | 4 | 18th | 19 |
Tactical shifts and late drama at San Siro
The match swung in Inter’s favor during the six minutes of stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Marcus Thuram received a pass from Andy Diouf and scored a low shot into the corner to equalize. This goal followed a period where Inter had struggled to break the deadlock despite dominating possession. In the 95th minute, the referee awarded a penalty after a defender fouled Thuram in the area. Piotr Zielinski converted the penalty in the 98th minute to secure the win. I saw Chivu’s tactical response as he introduced Bonny and Lavelli to seek more dynamism on the flanks. These changes proved effective. Inter increased their presence in the box to find the winning goal. Fiorentina, who recently lost 3-1 to Como, sits in 18th place with 4 points. I find it clear that Chivu’s decision to change his attacking shape successfully exploited the defensive gaps left by Fiorentina after Pongracic’s exit. Vanoli expressed regret that his side missed chances to go 2-0 up, but he remains convinced that the direction of the team is positive. I also noticed Vanoli’s frustration with Beto, stating the player must become stronger mentally. Vanoli noted that Mkhitaryan had difficulties against Jimenez, but his players showed great personality and attitude.
