Former Romania striker Adrian Mutu has sharply criticised Walter Zenga for what he perceived as a disrespectful tone towards Cristian Chivu and the Romanian people following the fiery Juventus vs Inter match on September 13.

Speaking to Romanian media, Mutu reacted to Zenga’s post-match comments, which he interpreted as implicitly dismissive toward Chivu, suggesting they carried undertones of prejudice.

“I wasn’t harsh, just firm and serious,” Mutu said, with quotes via FCInter1908.

“I speak perfect Italian after fifteen years there, and I can recognise when an Italian uses a tone of contempt or racism towards a people like ours. It happens often. Ask Romanians abroad: we’re not always respected as we should be. What Zenga said bothered me.”

Mutu Hits Out At Zenga ‘Romanian’ Comment On Chivu After Juventus Vs Inter Match

Walter Zenga Inter Milan Legend
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Walter Zenga attends The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 at the Teatro Alla Scala on September 23, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Mutu clarified that if he misinterpreted the tone, he would apologise, but added pointedly.

“If I’m right, then I stand by what I said. That tone wasn’t right towards Cristi. Zenga grew as a coach in Romania, has deep ties to our country. He was married to a Romanian woman for fifteen years. He should show more respect for a people who embraced him.”

The former Inter goalkeeper and coach spent several years managing in Romania, leading FCSB, Dinamo Bucharest, and FC Național.

But for Mutu, referring to Chivu, “a legend of Inter, just like Zenga himself”, merely as “the Romanian” was unacceptable.

“You could have said it in a much more elegant way,” Mutu concluded.