Chivu Remains Optimistic as Inter Prepares for Champions League Clash Against Feyenoord
Cristian Chivu expressed confidence that Inter Milan is “still in the race” for success in the Champions League, urging his players to bounce back from a disappointing derby loss in Rotterdam. Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Feyenoord at De Kuip, Chivu emphasized the importance of overcoming setbacks. The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT).
Inter faces mounting pressure after suffering their first league defeat of the season—a 3-1 setback against Milan on Saturday. In group play, the team currently sits with only three points from three matches, following a late victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, alongside losses to Real Madrid and Club Brugge.
“I believe in the work, in what this team is and what it has done so far. I’m confident. They’re champions, and they’ve shown it,” Chivu stated. He acknowledged the need to learn from the team’s mistakes and expressed optimism for a strong performance.
Chivu outlined his expectations for the Champions League, mentioning that attaining 16 points would likely secure a position in the top eight and a spot in the knockout rounds. “We’ve always said that the Champions League, like the league, has to be played game by game. To get into the top eight, it’s around 16 points,” he noted. “For now we’ve won one game and lost two, but we’re still in it. We know what we are and what we want, and I’m convinced we’ll have a great game.”
Facing Feyenoord, Chivu acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad, which recently claimed victory over Como. “In this stadium they thrive. They have intensity, quality, and a lot of players like Moussa and Zequiel. They’re quality players and inverted wingers. It won’t be easy, but at the same time, we have to bring out all our qualities to put them in difficulty,” he cautioned.
Chivu also revealed that the team has been working through unpredictable situations but has seen players like Provedel and Pavard return, providing a boost as they head into the crucial match.
