Cristian Chivu reveals he told his players to ‘stay calm’ at half-time against Shakhtar Donetsk, admitting Alessandro Bastoni was ‘naive’ for getting a red card.
Inter secured their first Champions League victory this season on Wednesday, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 at San Siro.
The Nerazzurri came to the match on the back of seven wins in the previous eight games in the competition. Carlos Augusto scored the winner in the second half after Bastoni received a red card.
Chivu’s view on Bastoni red card
The Italian star received two yellow cards in two minutes and was sent off after pushing his opponent, Oleh Ocheretko, while waiting for a Nicolò Barella cross.
“I didn’t see much of it. He was provoked, and it was naïve of him,” Chivu said at a post-match press conference.
“At half-time, I asked the players to stay calm, not let themselves get frustrated, and accept that it would be an ugly game and that their passing would frustrate us. We needed to manage our frustration better.
“On the first yellow card, everyone thought Alisson would kick the ball out, but he didn’t, and he lost his temper.
“I didn’t see the second incident because I was focused on how to reorganise the team. It was naïve of him, and I’m sure he knows that very well,” Chivu continued.
“These are the kinds of frustrations that can often affect the course of a game, and we need to keep a clear head and stay calm, accepting that sometimes opponents will try to provoke us.”
Inter now have three points in three Champions League matches, and their next match in the competition will be away at Feyenoord on Tuesday, November 3.
The Nerazzurri return to action in Serie A next Sunday, hosting strugglers Fiorentina at San Siro.