Chivu: ‘Inter had quality and intensity, but didn’t take our chances’

Cristian Chivu explains his Inter choices after crashing out of the Supercoppa Italiana on penalties to Bologna. ‘I saw quality and intensity, the things I always want from my players.’

The Nerazzurri had the perfect start, taking the lead within 73 seconds when Alessandro Bastoni intercepted a loose ball and whipped the cross to the back post for an acrobatic Marcus Thuram volley.

However, Riccardo Orsolini converted a penalty for Yann Bisseck’s clumsy handling offence.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 1-1 Inter

It was all-square after 90 minutes, also thanks to a big Josep Martinez save on Giovanni Fabbian in stoppages, so had to be decided in a shoot-out.

Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella and Bonny all failed to convert, as Ciro Immobile scored the final kick to send Bologna into Monday’s Supercoppa Italiana Final against Napoli.

“Penalties are a lottery in my view, I admire the courage to raise your hand and say you’ll take one. It is something you cannot practice, because the emotions of a match situation cannot be replicated,” Chivu told Sport Mediaset.

“I thought my team put in a great performance, especially in the second half, they had quality and intensity, the things I always want to see from my players.”

There was a controversial moment when Inter were awarded a penalty, which was then revoked following the VAR review, as Ange-Yoan Bonny was adjudged to have stretched out his leg to connect with Torbjorn Heggem rather than the other way around.

“I do not talk about referees or their decisions, they have VAR and can evaluate all the footage,” shrugged Chivu when pressed on this incident.

“I want to talk about my own team, what we can do to improve, what we must learn, because that is the job of a coach. In good or bad, we go forward with heads held high. We must realise everyone can make mistakes, so I have no recriminations or complaints to anyone else. We keep going.”

Vincenzo Italiano said that in a way going behind after 73 seconds really boosted their intensity and desire to fight back, something that Chivu acknowledged.

“Straight after our goal was the most difficult moment, as they were pushing hard and we struggled to find a way out. We tried to get the strikers to hold up the ball, but there wasn’t much in support for them.

“We did much better in the second half, when we took control of the game, were able to push them back into their own half and create scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, this is football, if you don’t convert the chances, then you end up going to penalties, and from there it’s a lottery.”

Lautaro Martinez was only on the bench to begin with, coming on just as it looked as if there wasn’t going to be a breakthrough in normal time. Was he trying to keep the captain fresh for the eventual Final on Monday?

“I wouldn’t dare assume we would reach the Final,” assured Chivu.

“I just noted it was the eighth game in three weeks, that he played all of them, and we are going into many more big games in January too. We cannot lose players right now to avoidable injuries, that also goes for Manuel Akanji and Hakan Calhanoglu.

“There are many matches, this is not a complaint, it’s just the way it is. The squad has shown for months now that no matter who plays, they are up to the task of any tournament that they play in.”

There was also a change in goal, as Josep Martinez had his first appearance since being involved in a tragic car accident on October 28.

“I have 25 players who all deserve to play, they are all champions and I must give them the opportunity to be protagonists, to help the cause. This is a team with big ambitions and it’s a long season, so we need everyone.”

Inter had lost the Final of the EA Sports FC Supercup last season, when taking a 2-0 lead and fumbling it 3-2 against rivals AC Milan, so their disappointment in this tournament continues.