Cristian Chivu appreciated the ‘courage and character’ of Inter’s performance against Real Madrid, gives injury updates for Udinese and insists ‘we are on the right path.’
It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
The Nerazzurri had the perfect start to their Serie A season, capped off by a spectacular comeback from 2-0 down to beat Napoli 3-2 in stoppages.
However, despite a performance where they had more possession, they were beaten 2-1 by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in the Champions League opener thanks largely to two howlers.
Federico Dimarco missed that game and is back in the squad tomorrow, while Djed Spence is still recovering from his previous injury.
Chivu liked Inter seen in Madrid
“You’ll see how the others are when you see the squad list,” smiled Chivu in his press conference.
“Hakan Calhanoglu already had an injury before the Coppa Italia Final and World Cup, we saw the criticism that he and the other Turkish players received. We’re eager to get everyone back into shape whose pre-season was affected by the World Cup.
“We have to prepare for every match the same way, aware that Udinese have physicality and quality that can cause problems. Their coach has done great work in the last couple of years, despite changing many players in that time.”
Although it was yet another Champions League defeat after last season’s disappointment, the approach Inter took at the Bernabeu was reassuring.
“The objective is to keep growing and developing, it’s too early to pass judgment, as we’re still at the start of the season,” added the coach.
“If we judge on results only, there can be some criticism, but I see good things and we’re not just focused on that. We look at the principles that we want to add, without losing faith in the good things we saw against Napoli and Real Madrid.
“I read those two matches together, because we used up a lot of energy against Napoli with that comeback and 72 hours later were at the Bernabeu.
“I liked the courage, the character, the reaction after errors. I take the positives, because this is the path we want to go down.”
Chivu crashed out of the Champions League early last term, but did go on to win the Scudetto and Coppa Italia Double.
“The last few Champions League games did not go the way we wanted to, winning one of the last seven, but I did not see a team that lost heart. Instead, I saw a side that felt it was a missed opportunity in Madrid, because we played so well. We could’ve done better and we need to improve, we know that.
“Inter are accustomed to pressure, but the important thing is self-belief. The judgment of others is not our problem, everyone is free to express their opinion. Our responsibility is to be aware of what we are and the growth process we want in future.”
As a good example of that, Chivu points to their surprise early defeat to Udinese last season, when he had just taken over from Simone Inzaghi.
“That was Week 2 and we lost, but a year on we’ve won two trophies, so it’s good to remember where we started from. There have been improvements, the lads are aware of the process and do what is asked of them.
“I hear a lot of talk about tactical systems, but it’s all about the interpretation. There are teams who on paper play 4-2-3-1, but then defend with six men,” continued the Inter coach.
“I am more interested in every player interpreting the movement. We are an evolved team and we know how to do many different things.”
Andy Diouf is certainly versatile, as the midfielder is turning into a strong right-sided wing-back to replace Denzel Dumfries.
“The objective is to get him playing 80 minutes at peak tempo instead of 60, but that’s true of everyone,” noted Chivu.
“As soon as he sees the goal opening up, he has this freedom of mind to take opponents on, which destabilises them. He gives us an extra solution in that sense. We’re glad with what he is doing and how he is at the disposal of his teammates.”
