After Napoli – Inter, Cristi Chivu was criticized by the legendary Fabio Capello: “On his knees!”
Article by Romeo Ene – Published Sunday, October 26, 2025, 3:35 p.m. / Updated Sunday, October 26, 2025, 3:35 p.m.
Inter lost on Napoli's fieldscore 1-3, in the 8th stage of Serie A. The team of Cristi Chivu (45 years old) was leading in the 54th minute with 2-0, after the successes of De Bruyne and McTominay, he reduced the difference through Calhanoglu, but it was not enough, and Anguissa set the final score in the 67th minute. The next day, the great Fabio Capello (79 years old) wanted to criticize the game played by the team the Romanian.
Capello trained him on Chivu for 29 matches, at AS Roma in the 2003-2004 season, and the Italian analyzed the game at the “Diego Armando Maradona” stadium.
He expected Inter to play a different kind of football and he is convinced that the two teams have “turned around”. Inter looked like Napoli in the last matches and vice versa.
Fabio Capello criticizes Chivu and Inter, after the failure with Napoli: “It's a disorganized, vulnerable team, going through an identity crisis”
After Royale Union Saint-Gilloise – Inter 0-4, in the Champions League, Capello had a laudatory speech to the Champions League finalist. That changed following Saturday night's performance.
“Napoli – Inter was a reflection of this championship, where everything changes very, very quickly. At the final whistle, I had the impression that the roles had turned: Napoli looked like the Inter we had seen until yesterday, a compact, determined and cynical team that had not failed since mid-September.
“Inter looked like Napoli on their knees between Turin and Eindhoven, a disorganized, vulnerable team going through an identity crisis,” Capello said, according to TMW.com.
Inter had won seven in a row before the defeat at the home of champions Napoli. And Conte's team returned to first place, with 18 points after 8 matches. Inter is in 4th place with 15 points.
I hope to have half your career, Mister. I want to be a winner like you who are a top trainer. You brought me to Rome and I can only thank you.
I am fortunate to be part of a fantastic group, a group that has quality and potential for advancement. I'm happy when players accept new proposals, when they put their pride aside and make themselves available to be coached
– Chivu to Capello after success in the Champions League in Belgium
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