Cristian Chivu believes Inter’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Juventus could represent a psychological turning point in their season.
A last-gasp strike from Piotr Zielinski secured Inter’s first win against one of Serie A’s traditional heavyweights in a long time. The result also allowed the Nerazzurri to keep their rivals at bay in the title race.
Speaking to Sky Sport after the final whistle, Chivu admitted his team struggled but praised their resilience.
“We were blocked in terms of our play and what we wanted to propose, and we suffered,” he said.
“We hadn’t won a direct clash for two years and the players felt that. But with heart and by doing what was necessary, we managed to win it.”
He continued: “I take the victory, the character and the desire to always hurt a team that puts everyone in difficulty because of their rotations and their qualities, both individual and collective. They are a top side and deserve compliments.”
Chivu On Kalulu’s Red Card
Chivu also addressed the dismissal of Pierre Kalulu.
“The contact is light, but it’s there, it’s a touch,” he explained.
“Even I, especially in the Champions League, have suffered light touches. I tell my players not to put the referee in a position to decide. The contact is soft, but my player feels the hand. An experienced player like Kalulu must know that in certain situations you keep your hands to yourself.”
When asked whether he would have accepted a similar second yellow as a player, Chivu was clear.
“With a yellow card already, I don’t put my hands on an opponent, especially in a situation where he’s beaten and we’re about to counter.”
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Head Coach Reveals Why Bastoni Came Off
One of the key tactical decisions came at halftime, when Alessandro Bastoni left the pitch.
“I took him off because I was worried about Conceição. If he had stayed on, I would have left Bastoni on the field.”
The coach hinted that the substitution aimed to prevent potential danger in wide areas rather than to avoid a red card.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Chivu: “I Hope This Is The Turning Point”
Despite the win, Chivu did not hide his dissatisfaction with the overall performance.
“I hope today’s victory is the turning point, especially for the mental and physical block we’ve suffered. I didn’t like the team. We didn’t show what we prepared.”
However, he stressed the importance of finally overcoming the psychological barrier in big matches.
“I reminded the players that we won an important match in Dortmund, but today we felt the lack of a win against a big side. Juventus deserve credit. They caused us problems with their rotations and style of play. They are a team in good form and even with ten men they equalised and put us under pressure.”
Chivu concluded by highlighting the decisive moment.
“In the final moments at 2-1 we should have managed it better. Maybe fear of not winning affected us. But in the end, the team’s character came out and they brought it home with a great goal from Zielinski.”
For Inter, this derby win was more than just three points. It was a statement of resilience, and perhaps the breakthrough they needed.
Good job on last nights win. Game played below our usual standard this season, but that was expected vs big rival. As for 2nd yellow card, it stands, contact was minimal, Bastoni sold it with theatrical fall, but that’s also part of the football, fast counter-attack was forming and ref will always give yellow if defending player stops with hand attacking player, it happened to us countless times. So i don’t see how there’s a question at all for foul and yellow card.
Its a question cause rube have clowns in the media that work for them. Before sandro yellow there was a clear foul vs sucic on the penalty line and there was nothing given. So sandro stopped the counter and got a card. But nobody talks about that foul. Or the 3 fouls that rube made leading to the 2-2 goal. Or the countless times de ligt and rabiot use their hands to lead to a goal and somehow it stands.
Forza Inter. The cries of the cheaters are music to my ears
Chivu probably not that experienced in Coaching, but he is well experienced as a player. He knows if Bastoni stayed in the second half, ref will give him the second red no matter what type of the foul it is.
true
You have said it all
Well said!!!
The Nerazzzurí have to get better in the big games but this victory over Juvé was fantastic. 8 pts clear Whoooa !!! Inter are the best team in Europe but for some reason they don’t perform in big games. Inzaghi was sacked because of it & Chivu has to do better. I am not yet convinced by him.
Inzaghi was not sacked, he decided to leave after the CL final catastrophy and ending up trophyless despite fighting on all fronts until the end. He got the bag at Saudi Arabia.