Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu addressed the press after last night’s 2-0 Champions League triumph over Ajax.
During his post-match chat with FCInterNews, the 44-year-old hailed his side’s ‘maturity’ and praised his attacking duo.
Inter desperately needed victory in Amsterdam to restore confidence after a 4-3 defeat at Juventus last weekend.
Despite Ajax’s fall from grace, it was never going to be a walk in the park for the Nerazzurri.
And it was not. The Lancers gave the Serie A giants a run for their money.
However, Marcus Thuram was too hot to handle, notching up a brace to seal Ajax’s fate.
Meanwhile, Francesco Pio Esposito partnered up with the French star in the absence of Lautaro Martinez.
Indeed, El Toro had to stay on the bench due to back pain.
“He has a back problem,” Cristian Chivu confirmed. “Today, he felt a bit better, but he wasn’t in condition to play.
“We agreed to rest him so he can recover as soon as possible.”
Then, he heaped praise on Thuram and Esposito.
“I’m happy for Marcus, but also for Esposito, Lautaro, and Bonny,” Chivu added. “He worked really hard, and together with Pio, they even tried a few good combinations.
“I’m happy for him because he scored twice. For Pio, it was his European debut, but he’s already showing great maturity, and he deserves to be part of this team.
“I’m happy with everyone’s performance.
“We needed to lift morale and add some certainty that the work we’ve been doing has always been of a good level.”
Cristian Chivu Praises Inter Milan Performance After Ajax Win
“We’ve always done the work,” Chivu stated. “The desire to put in performances has always been there, and that showed in the work done during the week.
“Of course, you’re judged on results, as I said yesterday, that’s only fair.
“But this team has always wanted to dominate games and deliver performances to bring home results.
“Unfortunately, in football, small episodes are decisive – it’s a fine line between winning and losing.
“Today we showed maturity, trying to impose ourselves right from the start.
“We knew that in the Champions League, you always have to stay alert because teams can hurt you at any moment.
“My choices are based on what I see – how they train, their desire to bounce back.
“A coach should never try to cause damage; that’s the last thing I want to do.
“We always try to add something, but we can’t fall into the trap of listening to outside noise. A victory doesn’t make us better, just like we weren’t worse before.
“We need continuity in our results and must keep working hard like we’ve done so far.”
Then, he hailed Yann Sommer’s response to last weekend’s fiasco in Turin.
“You answer that yourselves – I’ve already said what I think. We knew his worth.
“For me, it’s not a surprise, you’re the ones who give the judgments.”
Chivu Responds to Criticism
“I don’t have any scores to settle,” the 44-year-old contiuned. “I know who I am and what I can give.
“A coach is judged by results, and that’s fair. But, as I said before, I don’t feel better or worse than before.
“I just try to give my all by doing my job. I didn’t feel worse before, and I don’t feel better now.
“Indeed, I don’t see myself as less of a coach than anyone else; I just do my job and give my best for my club.
“Therefore, I don’t think about my reputation, I think about improving the team.”
Moreover, Chivu appreciated Inter’s approach last night.
“We played at our best with high pressing and ball possession.
“It was important to win the ball back in their half, and we did it very well with maturity.
“We had the desire to win, to improve, and that was clear to see.”
Finally, he admitted he was happy to meet his old friend, John Heitinga, again.
“Heitinga is doing well, I’m happy to see him as well as all the people I worked with in Amsterdam between 1999 and 2003.”
I can’t fully blame chivu at the moment though he’s been managing inter since cwc until now. I see some positives and negatives which are normal. my only concern is whether he’s the right person to continue the project that’s been on going since conte or not because I don’t have high expectations for someone who miraculously saved a small club from relegations in few matches. can he deliver like inzaghi when everyone underestimated inzaghi and knew conte is more experienced than him? I’d blame the management instead if chivu failed to do so. in recent years I see that inter management tend to force their way to managers i.e. buying anyone that they think will make inter better, putting aside what the managers need. it’s like hiring cesc to continue things he’s not designed to.
i belive inter management didnt want high profile italian coach anymore. Marotta already lose 5 europe final with defensive or counter attacking system. So chivu appoinment is fresh start for inter to have more attacking system.
Good thing is Chivu paid off his season salary with that win, atleast something in case they fire him.