Cristian Chivu insists he is ‘happy and optimistic for the future’ of Inter after their 2-1 Champions League defeat. ‘We took the game to a team like Real Madrid.’
The Nerazzurri dominated for long periods at the Bernabeu, but also made costly howlers that ultimately gifted two early goals to Real Madrid.
First Curtis Jones with a misplaced pass prompted the Kylian Mbappé opener, then Josep Martinez was caught out trying to dribble Federico Valverde from six yards.
Although Carlos Augusto did eventually get one back on the Lautaro Martinez assist, there were big saves at both ends from Thibaut Courtois and Josep Martinez for the 2-1 result.
“I am not angry at all, I am happy with the courage and character shown by my team,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.
“If you make mistakes, and that’s part of the sport, it’s about how to react to them and move forward, your body language, your attitude to the end. I’d say it was a good performance tonight, trying to be dominant and keeping the initiative throughout.
“That makes me happy and optimistic for the future of this team. Mistakes happen, we knew that we’d need to allow them something in transition and the quality that they have in attack, but we stayed in the game to the very end, showed character and it was a good performance.
“I am proud that we showed courage and didn’t come here trying to play for a point, instead we took the game to a team like Real Madrid.”
Perhaps the most remarkable performance was that of Josep Martinez, who was caught out for that comical Valverde goal, yet reacted with several huge saves to keep Inter in the match.
“Why do you have to name him? I just said, the most important thing is how you react to errors, and Pepo reacted like a goalkeeper of a high level, because he kept his head and made some great saves.
“It’s not just goalkeepers, any player on the pitch, it’s important how you react, keep your head up, rediscover your confidence, that is what interests me.”
Inter had fought back from 2-0 down to beat Napoli 3-2 in Serie A at the weekend, but this was too big an ask to repeat it against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
Speaking of which, it was a reunion with Mourinho, who was the coach and Chivu a player when they won the Treble at Inter in 2010.
“I love Mourinho like crazy for what we did together, how he stood by me and my family during a difficult time in my life, the confidence he showed in me. He is a great man, I was so happy to hug him, and I wish him all the best for this new adventure.”
Inter did leave the Bernabeu with 61 per cent possession, completing almost twice as many passes as the hosts, and Andy Diouf was a surprise starter on the right wing.
“Carlos Augusto was exhausted, he could barely stand up, but I’m happy with what the wingers did. Carlos Augusto attacked the line, caused Denzel some problems, while Andy showed character to take on Cucurella repeatedly, one of the best full-backs in the world. He also showed defensive focus against important opponents.
“This is why I take the positives, this performance gives me confidence for the future,” concluded Chivu.
