Chivu not satisfied with Inter victory: ‘I didn’t transmit right mentality’

Cristian Chivu takes ‘responsibility’ for Inter’s disappointing performance to beat Kairat Almaty 2-1 in the Champions League. ‘Evidently I was unable to transmit the right mentality.’

The Nerazzurri found it much harder than expected to get the better of the team from Kazakhstan, as it wasn’t until the stroke of half-time that Lautaro Martinez managed to bundle over the line.

Kairat Almaty equalised with Ofri Arad’s free header from a corner, as Carlos Augusto drilled a daisy-cutter into the bottom corner from distance to secure the 2-1 victory.

“It took us until half-time to break through. I take responsibility, because evidently as coach I was unable to transmit the right mentality,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“I was unable to show them the right attitude, which is fundamental in a game like this. At the same time, I realise we play every three days, but we still should’ve done better and we must do better.

“Ultimately, I’ll take the three points, they are good for the table, seeing as the level of difficulty for the final four games in the fixture list is tougher than what we’ve had so far. No Champions League games are easy, even if on paper the other team might look inferior.”

It means Inter win the first four Champions League games for the first time in their history, but did concede their first goal of the tournament.

“I need to work harder, not the players. I must find the right words and motivation to raise their concentration levels and attitude. I take that responsibility and evidently must do more than I did in preparing this match over the last few days,” continued a clearly disappointed Chivu.

Fabio Capello in the Sky Sport Italia studio tried to reassure the relatively inexperienced coach, telling him these are always the toughest games for players, and there will always be the risk of losing that intensity.

“When we were 2-1 up, we continued to pass it around between the centre-backs and then back to the goalkeeper. I’ve got to get them to understand better, Kairat were doing everything possible to equalise, so we should’ve made more of them opening up the spaces,” replied Chivu.

“We lacked the right quality and sharpness to make the correct decisions. At one point, we became frenetic and were doing things in the wrong moment. I understand, I too was a player in this type of match, but I still take responsibility for what I was unable to pass on to them.”

Lautaro Martinez went off at half-time to bring on Ange-Yoan Bonny, so was that a tactical decision or a fitness one?

“It was already agreed he would only play the first half. It was important to give him the chance to lead the team in the first half, he also managed to score after some tried to stir up trouble around him not scoring for a few games,” explained Chivu.

“He inspired them as captain, he did what he needed to do, then after the goal we decided he should have some rest. He has played almost constantly over the last six games, after all.”

Inter take on Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio this weekend, then go into the break for international duty, after which there will be the Derby della Madonnina against Milan. Is Chivu satisfied with how they have been playing in his first few months as coach?

“I am never satisfied. That doesn’t mean I am expecting perfection, but we could’ve done some things better,” replied the Romanian.

“I will take the good and bad, because it is not easy to overcome certain moments and accept working with a new coach after so long, but I am working with champions who want a great season.”