Stefan de Vrij admits that Inter Milan “needed to start better” in their 0-2 FIFA Club World Cup loss against Fluminense.
The Dutchman spoke to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset after the match, via FCInterNews.
Inter Milan’s season has now come to an end. They lost 0-2 against Brazilian side Fluminense in the round of sixteen of the Club World Cup.
This means that the Nerazzurri will not end the campaign with any silverware.
Inter Milan had their ups and downs in the group stage of the Club World Cup.
However, the knockouts simply proved to be a bridge too far for Cristian Chivu’s team.
Fluminense went ahead within a couple minutes. Inter looked shellshocked, whether it was the result of the long season, the heat, or simply being overrun by an organized and determined Fluminense team.
Inter Milan huffed and puffed for the rest of the ninety minutes. They did carve out some good chances, even hitting the post twice.
But in the end the second goal of the match came from the Brazilian team, in stoppage time to seal the upset victory.
Stefan De Vrij Admits “Inter Needed To Start Better” Vs Fluminense
Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij spoke after today’s match. “We should have started it off better,” he admitted.
“They were more confident in duels at the start.”
“They closed down the spaces well,” the Dutchman noted.
“It was difficult for us without raising the tempo.”
De Vrij then noted that “in the second half we did better, and created some chances.”
“But the ball didn’t go in.”
“We should have done more,” the 33-year-old former Lazio and Feyenoord defender admitted.
“It was a way to get to know each other with the players and the coaching staff there,” he added. “We were together for three weeks.”
De Vrij admitted that “for now there’s a lot of disappointment.”
“But we have to put this loss behind us. And when we return, we’ll have to want to do better, learn and grow together.”
What a shameful loss. Meanwhile Inzaghi beat Man City with Al Hilal. They play with their heart out. Need to use long ball when necessary, stop passing out from back everytime. Both Inter and Juve gave away cheap goals in this tournament but those clubs from other continent play with their heart.
Inter’s strength is counter attack but you can’t counter if you gave away cheap goals.
We have to treat this like preseason. The teams not in great shape, we’re trying new tactics with a new coach. Youngsters getting some minutes.
I thought the team looked pretty worn out by last December. They gave a lot to get where they got.
Chivu may be cautious right now but he looks willing to allow the team to be more forward and aggressive. Unfortunately it’s only been in the second halves but come the new season if we play that way we have a chance to be dominant again rather than just grinding out wins