MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Cristian Chivu, manager of FC Internazionale Milano, watches the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo: Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Cristian Chivu admitted that Inter felt the pressure against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and explained his options. “We were willing to suffer and that was something we lacked before.”
The Neradzurri have had another disappointing run in the Champions League, losing their first two games of the season and seven of their last eight in the competition.
However, despite Alessandro Bastoni seeing red for two consecutive yellow cards, they pounced on Carlos Augusto Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s pass to finish in a rush past the keeper to clinch victory.
It was far from a convincing display from Inter, who improved after being man down as they rarely created goalscoring opportunities or lost possession.
Chivu sees the answer of “Inter”.
“I think our results in the last year and a half in the Champions League left some traces and it showed in the first half,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.
Inter have lost seven of their last eight Champions League games going into tonight, including last season, so the pressure is on them.
“It wasn’t a bad start, but as the match went on we were a bit worried about organizing against a quality side who could pass it well. We fell back a bit but with the triple substitution we rediscovered some energy, movement and proper running.
“After that, we were down to 10 men and we were able to add something that was missing. We put our arms up, we knew we had to do everything to stay together. The result is not always the prettiest football, but sometimes you need heart and mentality to take that extra effort. The guys did that tonight.”
Squad rotation also saw the absence of the injured Lautaro Martinez, Benjamin Pavard, Curtis Jones and John Stones, including a first Inter start for Jed Spence.
“We’re all important and we know it’s a long season, there’s a game every three days, so you need fresh legs to maintain that level. If the game isn’t high intensity, sometimes experience can be enough to bring home a result,” he said.
“You can’t do that in the Champions League, you have to run fast, you have to think fast, you have to have the confidence to do certain things. We were ready to suffer tonight and I feel that was something we lacked earlier.”
Inter’s defense was changed again tonight, with Bastoni moving to the center of a three-man line, with Carlos Augusto on the left and Manuel Akanji on the right.
“At the moment we only have three centre-backs and Carlos Augusto if necessary. We were prepared to go through their compact four-man defence, we hope Akanji can play more positionally and Carlos can give us more in terms of mobility,” explained the coach.
“We were worried about Shakhtar Donetsk’s counter-attacking ability, their attack on the line. That’s why we chose Spence, because he can keep the pace and cover quick wingers.
“We are adjusting to problems and injuries and also trying to rest Bisseck because it was the third game in as many days. We have to make some choices and try to balance them until the others recover.”