Cristian Chivu says Inter are determined to write new important pages in the club’s history as they prepare to begin their Champions League campaign against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The Nerazzurri face one of the most difficult possible opening fixtures in Europe. They return to the stadium where José Mourinho guided Inter to one of the most memorable victories in the club’s history in 2010. Mourinho is now back in charge of Real Madrid, while Chivu is preparing for his second Champions League campaign as Inter’s head coach.
“We have an obligation to write important pages in the history of this club. In recent years, this club has reached important standards, and we have to write other pages of its history,” Chivu said at his pre-match press conference.
The Inter coach also spoke about his feelings on returning to the Bernabéu, describing the stadium as even more beautiful and modern than before. Chivu retains a strong personal connection with Mourinho, having been part of the Inter side that won the treble under the Portuguese coach.
“Mourinho is a special person for me. Meeting him was a stroke of luck. He helped me during the most difficult moment of my life, and I will never forget that,” Chivu said.
Chivu says Inter will stay true against Real Madrid
Despite his close relationship with Mourinho, Chivu rejected the idea that the Real Madrid coach directly influenced his own football philosophy. He explained that his ideas were developed during his playing career and through his years working in the youth sector, where he had the opportunity to experiment with different approaches.
The match at the Bernabéu represents a major challenge for Inter. The Nerazzurri have not won at the stadium for 60 years, but Chivu does not want his team to abandon its principles because of the opponent.
“Playing at the Bernabéu is never easy for anyone. It has been 60 years since Inter won here. Many teams have struggled to win here. We will do our best, but without changing who we are,” he said.
Chivu wants Inter to be proactive against Real Madrid and demonstrate their development. He also stressed that the entire squad will have an important role to play, rather than focusing solely on the players who start the match. The first three league games, he suggested, have already provided evidence of the importance of the players coming off the bench.
Champions League challenge and Inter’s top-eight target
Inter’s preparations have been affected by the demanding schedule. Following Saturday’s exhausting Serie A match, Chivu admitted that he would have preferred his players to have another day to recover but accepted that the team must adapt to the calendar.
The Nerazzurri have gained considerable Champions League experience in recent seasons. However, Chivu knows there is little room for complacency under the competition’s current format. The previous two editions showed how many points are needed to have a chance of finishing in the top eight, while the playoffs can also produce difficult and unpredictable matches.
“Sixteen points are needed; 15 are not enough. We have to do our best. We must not become obsessed with getting points in particular matches,” Chivu said.
Asked about Mourinho’s comments that it was surprising Inter had not won the Champions League in recent years, Chivu highlighted the work of the club’s directors and players. He said Inter had shown important qualities over the last eight years and had reached their current position through ideas, hard work, merit, and ability.
Chivu also acknowledged the difficult nature of the Champions League, where even eventual winners must overcome challenging moments and sometimes need a little luck. Inter’s objective, he explained, is to remain competitive and live up to the level expected of the club.
Chivu backs Mourinho and refuses Inter comparisons
Chivu does not believe it is appropriate to compare the current Inter team with Mourinho’s side that conquered Europe in 2010. Different teams and different periods, he said, should not be judged against each other. The current Inter squad has already achieved significant things, including reaching two finals, although both ended in defeat.
The coach stressed that every team has its own period and that the current group of players wants to write its own chapter in Inter’s history. For that reason, Chivu prefers to focus on what the present team can achieve rather than constantly looking back at the past.
The Inter coach also offered a positive assessment of Real Madrid’s start to the season. He noted that the beginning of a campaign is never simple and that some players still need to adapt to what it means to play for Real Madrid. Chivu described their start as balanced and said their latest defeat was undeserved.
Chivu had particular praise for Mourinho, highlighting his ability to quickly adapt to the reality of the team he represents and communicate his ideas and mentality. He described the Portuguese coach as an unquestionable winner who has demonstrated his ability to succeed throughout his career and said he was confident Real Madrid would have a great season.
For Chivu, however, the meeting in Madrid is ultimately about the present rather than nostalgia for Inter’s historic victory in 2010. The Nerazzurri now have the opportunity to demonstrate their progress and begin another Champions League campaign with the ambition of writing a new chapter in the club’s history.
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By Anna Italia
