Cristi Chivu, the 45-year-old head coach of Inter Milan, expressed disappointment following his team’s 3-4 loss to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League group stage match held at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. The defeat, marked by a hat-trick from Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi and a late winner from Romeo Vermant, left Inter without any points after their first two matches.
Inter’s goals came from Lautaro Martinez, who scored twice, and Ange-Yoan Bonny, who netted a goal in stoppage time.
Chivu on the Match: “Mistakes Must be Analyzed”
After the match, Chivu emphasized, “We had several significant chances, but we lost our balance. In the Champions League, you pay for such mistakes. I’m reflecting on what we could have done better, especially as we prepare for the upcoming game against Bologna. With six matches remaining, this format offers us many opportunities, and we need to improve our performance to secure wins.”
He acknowledged that Inter started well in the first half but lost enthusiasm and balance after conceding the second goal. “We began to improvise, which shouldn’t have happened. This performance does not represent a strong and ambitious team,” Chivu stated.
Chivu: “The First Two Results Have Been Painful”
Reflecting further on the match, Chivu noted, “We had an intense first half and created opportunities, but we struggled against counterattacks. Although we regrouped and began the second half positively, frustration led to a loss of focus, and Brugge exploited our weaknesses extensively. We understand what isn’t working, and we are focusing on mental recovery. While I take responsibility, we must remain confident because six matches remain, despite the painful outcomes of the first two games.”
Chivu added, “From the bench, I felt we missed two significant opportunities in the second half. We failed to apply enough pressure and could not equalize, which is costly in the Champions League. We might have prepared differently for this match and need to be more clinical in front of goal. The intensity and quality of Champions League football are different, and every small mistake is critical. We must be more patient without compromising our qualities and interpret certain moments of the game better. Finding the right mentality is essential moving forward,” he concluded.
With no points from their opening two matches, Inter will face Shakhtar, Feyenoord, Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, and Slovan Bratislava in their remaining Champions League fixtures.
