“Cristian has been training for a quarter of an hour and has created a masterpiece in Serie A!”
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Saturday, February 28, 2026, 3:55 p.m. / Updated Saturday, February 28, 2026, 4:01 p.m.
Known as a supporter of Cristi Chivu, Antonio Cassano attacks those who criticized the Romanian coach because of the premature elimination from the Champions League, 2-5 in the “double” in the play-off with Bodo/Glimt, but also reproaches him. “Those choices make me think he took things easy. He probably didn't know how to explain to the team that he had to play at his best,” says the former Nerazzurri striker.
Cassano intervened on the “Viva el Futbol” podcast on the topic of the week in Italy, namely the defeat suffered by Inter, even on “Giuseppe Meazza”, 1-2 with Bodo/Glimt in the play-off of the Champions League, which caused the elimination of the leader from Serie A.
Antonio Cassano: “Inter thought they were playing against a team in the fourth division. They entered the pitch like dancers”
“I'll start by congratulating Bodo, who thoroughly deserved to qualify. They were superior, both there and here. When they say they used catenaccio, there's a difference.
It's one thing to play with ten men behind the ball and play nasty like Allegri at Milan, but it's quite another to stay close to the ball and counter-attack with six-seven 7 men, executing fluid passes without problems.
That's being smart. But the biggest disappointment is that I have the feeling that Inter thought they were playing against a fourth division team. They entered the lawn like dancers. They were convinced they could change things easily, but they were playing at a slow, haphazard pace,” Antonio began his speech.
Cassano found Chivu to be partly to blame: “In the first leg it was a complete disaster and I have to blame Cristian because, through those decisions, it makes me realize that he underestimated the opponent. He probably didn't know how to motivate them and make them understand that they have to give 100%. Instead, they went blank and made some unthinkable mistakes.
Inter understand that in the summer he has to make important decisions! First of all, to change his football vision. 3-5-2 is no longer enough. In the coming season, a major cleaning is needed.
“Cristian made a wonderful gesture at the end of the game, going to congratulate Knutsen and talk about football”
Probably replace Calhanoglu, sell Thuram too if someone gives 60-80 million. A huge disappointment, I can't believe that players of that level are thinking of an approach like for a fourth league opponent!
Cristi Chivu, in dialogue with Kjetil Knudsen, in the match Inter – Bodo/Glimt 1-2 in the Champions League play-off / Photo: X
We need to get some fresh air, that cycle is over. There are 5-6 players whose contracts are expiring, you sell what is no longer good, bring in serious talents and make changes”.
From criticism, Cassano turned to praise, appreciating how Chivu did at the end of the second leg with Bodo/Glimt: “Inter were slow, clumsy and shallow. Cristian made a wonderful gesture, going to congratulate Knutsen and talk about football.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Chivu is destined for a big club from abroad, let's give him time! Because an idiot already said or wrote that the Chivu project is already bankrupt. He gave it to the bar two matches and to leave! But he's been training for 15 minutes and he's already creating a masterpiece in Serie A.
Most of the idiots on TV and in the press say we are a benchmark. No, we have been bankrupt for ten years and coaches like Hjulmand, Knutsen etc. continue. We are the quintessence of shitty football. In 2006, we won a World Cup with a goalscorer who scored two goals. I've always played that kind of football!
– Antonio Cassanoformer Italian international
