Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu assessed Tuesday night’s heart-wrenching 1-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
Speaking to Sky Sport via FCInterNews, the 45-year-old also commented on a controversial late penalty.
Despite entering the match as favorites, Inter slumped to yet another loss against top-tier opposition.
Indeed, Cristian Chivu’s side conceded an 88th-minute penalty, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to inspire Liverpool to a crucial win.
Though Alessandro Bastoni pulled Florian Wirtz’s shirt, it’s hard to blame the Italian defender for the penalty.
Instead, it was Felix Zwayer who committed a terrible fault.
While he initially refused to penalize Bastoni’s tackle, the German referee changed his decision after a VAR review.
Furthermore, Zwayer’s controversial decision has significantly compromised Inter’s chances of securing another top-eight finish.
Additionally, Chivu’s men lost another high-stakes clash this season, falling to yet another top team.
Still, Inter cannot afford to dwell on the past, with a must-win Serie A clash against Genoa waiting around the corner.
Cristian Chivu Delivers Verdict on Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool Defeat
“It should have been a draw given how the match unfolded,” Chivu said after the match. “Our approach lacked energy at first.
“Then we found the key to trouble them, but after two substitutions that affected us at the crucial moment.
“When we needed fresh legs, we had less energy.
“Then came the late incident, which is already the second in the last two Champions League games, and we couldn’t take anything from it.
“We fought and gave our best, had the courage to try, but we needed to be sharper.
“The match was somewhat influenced by the two changes we had to make.
“We expected their pressure; we could have done better. However, we started a bit intimidated and then grew with ball control.
“In the second half, I expected us to continue with the energy from the end of the first half.
“But as our energy dropped, we couldn’t make the changes, and we dropped back a bit too much.”
Finally, Chivu assessed Zwayer’s call.
“I rarely comment on refereeing decisions,” he stated. “I speak about education and what we need to teach in these games.
“In my opinion, the referee interpreted the situation correctly on the field when he didn’t call the penalty.
“Then VAR, when it intervenes, has to understand the dynamics. We have to accept the decision.
“We must learn to fight against injustices and incidents; we need to be more careful and focus on what we want to do well.”
there was no fight they let Liverpool control the pace. u need that dog mentality and instead of so much passes shot on goal more. the keeper can’t save all and be opportunities for rebound to score
I remember Inzaghi loosing the big games in his first year and improving gradually here Chivu lost all the big matches and was playing for a draw against Liverpool yet he couldn’t got one
inter is still the project, not the product.
we are still in the making. Chivu is a transitional coach for that period , his goal is just to keep the heritage from inzaghi. Hopefully this period ends very soon.
Transition to what??!! Being mediocre?
long way to go chief. this kind of breaking mentality games will be many many more in the future, especially against the ‘kind of ref’s favourite clubs”, please remember how mou approached the games like vs barca at 2010, you better be prepared.
bench players that approach the games like a kindergarten playground, and you will see different fights from others.
bla bla bla
Chivu is mentally weak
This team and the manager is complete bust in big games. I dont even watch big games anymore, only highlights and that irritates me too cause the script is too predictable.
Sorry to say but tactically Mr. Chievo brings nothing to the table and playing the old Inzaghi looser ball that only works against the lower sides.
I don’t like the whole “phantom penalty” excuse,
It was a pen, it was the correct decision.. Bastoni had a handful for no reason, yes he goes down theatrically but you’ve got to expect it.
The bigger issue is the lack of effort across the board bar maybe 3 consistent players who even when they’re not playing well still run and try.
The rest almost give zero to the cause.
We have no intensity or urgency on the ball.
That needs to change soon or it’s another trophyless season and I fully believe our only real chance is the coppa italia or if Napoli have a wobble in the league.
We’ve bought far too many players just not at the level required recently.
Shows a lack of ambition from all in charge
no we don’t fight
this game in particular required balls…something you only remember when you play against Torino or Como
you were a coward you did your substitute with 10 minutes left
this loss is on you
Nope. Fortune favours those who work for it. Chivu didn’t want to win 100% despite having all it takes to do so even with injuries. Liverpool were on life support and a better coach would realise that and go for it but Chivu mindset in this matches is he MUST get a draw instead of winning. Inter don’t magically win against small sides they attack or press relentlessly but against big teams performing as poorly as Henrique warrants a full 90+ minutes. No coach is ever going to be great if he’s too nice towards negativity and that starts with himself then Henrique, Susic and Bastoni who has a tendency to directly hurt inter when facing against big teams.