Chivu: Inter was ready to suffer in the Champions League

Inter coach Cristian Chivu said his team was put under pressure after the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk. According to Chivu, the players were ready to struggle this time, a quality that was missing in earlier matches.

In the match, Alessandro Bastoni was sent off after two yellow cards in a short space of time. Even so, Carlos Augusto went forward from a pass by Henrikh Mkhitaryan and sent the ball into the net over the onrushing goalkeeper. Inter created few chances and did not control the ball either. The team looked better after being reduced to ten men.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Chivu said the Champions League results of the last year and a half had left a mark on the team and that this was felt in the first half. Before this match, Inter had lost seven of their last eight games. The coach explained that with the triple substitution some energy and movement came back, and that during the period with 10 men the team pulled together. He added that good football does not always bring results and that sometimes heart and mental strength are needed.

Inter took the field with a rotated side. Lautaro Martinez, Benjamin Pavard, Curtis Jones and John Stones could not play because of injuries. Djed Spence started a match in Inter's first eleven for the first time. In defense, Bastoni played in the middle of the back three, Carlos Augusto on the left and Manuel Akanji on the right. Chivu stressed that in a long season with a match every three days, everyone is important.