Chivu’s decision in Milan derby surprised Vieri

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Nov 24, 2025 10:57 AM ET

Cristian Chivu’s decision to replace Lautaro Martinez in the second half of the Milan derby surprised Italian legend Christian Vieri: ‘I thought he’d take Marcus Thuram off.’

Former Inter and Milan striker Vieri spoke about the Rossoneri’s 1-0 win in the derby della Madonnina on Sunday night.

Vieri: ‘Hard to score against Milan’

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Nerazzurri dominated possession and had 20 total shots against Milan’s six. They even missed a penalty kick in the second half with Hakan Calhanoglu, while Christian Pulisic provided the winning goal for the Devil.

“Maybe they need to play less beautifully and score a few more goals,” Vieri told DAZN via FCInternews.it.

“Milan suffer during the match, then they get a couple of counter-attacks and score. Once they do so, it’s hard to score against them because they are compact and defend well.”

Milan’s resolute defending and clear tactical plan made the difference at San Siro last night, just like Mike Maignan, who saved a penalty kick and produced five more interventions.

Vieri surprised by Lautaro Martinez’s substitution

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Lautaro Martinez of Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Lautaro Martinez was subbed off at minute 66, and Chivu’s decision surprised the former striker.

“I thought Chivu would take Thuram off because he hadn’t started a match in two months, but it was a Chivu decision,” concluded Vieri.

A former Italy international, Vieri scored 142 goals in 264 Serie A appearances during his playing career, adding 23 strikes in 49 games with the Italy national team.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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