Chivu: ‘Intensity is the Liverpool mantra, Inter must match it’

Cristian Chivu warns that ‘intensity is the mantra of Liverpool’ and Inter need to match them in the Champions League this evening.

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta vs. Chelsea on the Liveblog.

The Nerazzurri are coming off a morale-boosting 4-0 victory over Como in Serie A and won their first four Champions League games before the last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

“These are games where we cannot afford to make mistakes, then if we do, we’ve got to cover for them,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“Intensity is important, as Liverpool have that as their mantra and we must match them for it, then understand the right moments to make the most of it.”

Inter are currently on 12 Champions League points and sit in fourth place, three points ahead of Liverpool, so this is a big game to lock down a top eight finish and direct access to the Round of 16.

“We know that 12 points are not enough, so we need more. Today is an opportunity to pick up more points, we’ll do everything we can to play well and get a positive result,” added Chivu.

Inter have Henrikh Mkhitaryan back in the starting XI after his injury issues, completing the traditional midfield with Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.

“Calhanoglu is a leader, so are Barella, Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, everyone. They are all important, regardless of who starts and who comes off the bench to give his contribution.

“They are all important from the Monday that we start training to the day of the game.”