Cristian Chivu says that his Inter side are not the ‘perfect’ article and insists that he doesn’t want to be described as such, but argues that expectations on his squad have become unrealistic: ‘There’s a feeling that Inter have an obligation to win where others don’t’.
Chivu’s pre-match press conference ahead of Inter vs. Shakhtar Donetsk in Champions League
The Nerazzurri head coach gave his thoughts to the media in a pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s visit from Shakhtar Donetsk in the third instalment of Champions League league phase fixtures.
Despite their unbeaten start to their Serie A title defence, Inter remain without a point in the Champions League in 2026-27 after falling to defeats against Real Madrid and Club Brugge over the first two rounds of fixtures.
Inter have now lost seven of their last eight fixtures in the Champions League including fixtures from the end of their 2025-26 campaign, but Chivu insists that all he and his players can do is look towards the future.
“I haven’t been counting them. We’re aware of the facts and that we’ve lost two games,” Chivu admitted during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday (via TMW).
“We want to regain energy. Now we’re talking about the past too much and the things that we haven’t done, but we have to focus on the things we need to do tomorrow. We have to be ready.”
Chivu had completely lost his voice the last time he spoke at a press conference, after Inter’s victory over Bologna at the weekend.
Asked about what caused his loss of voice, Chivu said: “I raise my voice, I laugh, joke, get angry, but that’s the same in all walks of life, it’s the same when I’m with my children. My players are like my children, my love for them never changes.”
Chivu believes that everybody must take responsibility for Inter’s shortcomings in the Champions League in 2026: “Responsibilities are mutual. If we had a good season last year, it’s because everybody took responsibility,” he argued.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s game, Chivu said: “Shakhtar are a strong team, they’re playing in the Champions League. They have legs, intensity, quality and a coach who always sets them up well on the pitch. These games are never easy, we have to be ourselves.”
Chivu was then asked what he feels needs to change in order for Inter to find success in Europe.
He replied: “I can do better in terms of communication. We need more attention and motivation on my part. I never point the finger at my players.
“This group has been playing under certain pressures for years. There is always expectation on them and sometimes that is fair because they have earned it through their competitiveness. I have to take certain responsibilities. If the coach isn’t the main culprit, then what are we doing talking here?”
Despite the fact that they sit at the top of the Serie A table, Inter’s have had to come from behind on four of their seven league matches so far this season.
Chivu was asked how he is able to get so much more out of his players in the second half without always making changes at the half-time interval.
“If we start badly, it’s my fault, but if it changes at half-time, it’s because of me?,” he questioned. “It’s lots of different things. You react differently depending on the opponent. We have to maintain our identity. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t.
“Half-time allows you to go through the things that have happened on the pitch, but it’s the ones who go out there who make the difference.”
When pressed again on Inter’s recent trend of conceding first, Chivu pointed to the level of expectation that is put upon his players, which he claims is ‘not good’.
“I have to analyse things in depth, but I will take responsibility. I’m the main culprit and it’s right that I should be. The players know what to do to react to adversity.
“We’re not perfect as a team, nor as individuals, we have a few problems as well, things that affect the course of the game, but I’m interested in seeing the group do everything to bring home the result.
“We’re not perfect and we don’t want to be called perfect, but I also don’t want it to be the case that if Inter lose, it becomes some sort of national drama. There’s a feeling that Inter have an obligation to win where others don’t, that’s not good.”