Cristian Chivu admits he was ‘impressed’ with Arsenal’s power in depth, as his Champions League regrets aren’t about tonight, however the earlier Inter defeats. ‘We’ve grown since then.’
The Nerazzurri knew it could be a troublesome take a look at in opposition to a Gunners facet that had gained all six Champions League video games to this point this season and was seven factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.
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Though they acquired again on monitor with Petar Sucic, the Gabriel Jesus brace and a late Viktor Gyokeres counter-attack
These legendary Arsenal set-play routines have been additionally decisive, making the most of Inter’s zonal marking to make the runs from the again submit in a pack.
Chivu and Inter bow right down to Arsenal
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 20: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano clashes with Cristhian Mosquera of Arsenal throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD7 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on January 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Carl Recine/Getty Pictures)
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How have been the Premier League facet higher than the Serie A prime crew?
“They’d extra depth, approach and tempo, they occupied the area effectively, attacked the traces with depth and velocity, the identical with the second balls, as they dive into each duel,”
“We tried to remain within the match, we performed fairly effectively within the first half and at 1-1 might’ve scored one other. That doesn’t imply we might’ve gone on to win, however incidents do change the temper of the groups.
“We have been additionally unfortunate on that purpose on a nook, the place it bounced off the bar and onto the pinnacle of an Arsenal participant. Within the second half, Arsenal raised the main target stage and have been additionally a little bit extra humble, as there was some vanity from them within the first half. They sat deeper, have physicality, and naturally can deliver gamers off the bench to boost the extent additional.”
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 20: Mikel Merino of Arsenal passes the ball while below strain from Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale Milano throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD7 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on January 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Carl Recine/Getty Pictures)
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This was the third consecutive Champions League defeat for Inter, after ending 2025 with losses to Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.
They slide out of the highest eight for the primary time this season, and will fall even additional following tomorrow’s outcomes, as successful the primary 4 video games was inadequate.
“We’ve acquired to attend for tomorrow to see what the desk says, if a win shall be sufficient or not. We all know that we’d must undergo the play-offs, that isn’t an issue for us,” insisted Chivu.
It’s simple that Inter battle in opposition to the ‘massive’ golf equipment, as they’ve didn’t win any of these matches in Serie A, the Supercoppa Italiana or the Champions League this time period.
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“The remorse is that in these three video games we might’ve had extra, maybe not tonight, however in opposition to Atletico and Liverpool a little bit extra maturity and focus might’ve made the distinction.
“I believe a month on from these matches, if we had the identical perspective we did this night, then it could’ve been a unique outcome. That’s my supposition, I believe these experiences helped us to develop and mature a little bit extra.
“Regardless of the difficulties, this squad retains going with the fitting perspective, it is able to play open soccer understanding there could possibly be issues in opposition to the likes of Saka and Trossard. I take house the braveness and our latest progress from this match.”
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 20: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu interacts with Petar Sucic of FC Internazionale throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD7 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on January 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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Denzel Dumfries continues to be out of motion after ankle surgical procedure, however Chivu was requested if he may’ve launched another person to exchange Luis Henrique within the second half.
“We did introduce Andy Diouf on the finish, I had additionally considered altering to 4-3-3, however I used to be missing an attacking pressure, and Arsenal launched Gabriel in defence after they realised that Pio Esposito was inflicting them issues.
“We had three strikers on the finish, it’s true that we lacked a little bit of attacking aptitude and crosses down the fitting, however Luis Henrique had a superb sport, all of the lads put in an awesome effort tonight from begin to end,” assured the coach.
“When these Arsenal gamers come and encompass you, they assault from all angles, they encircle you. I used to be so impressed with their approach with the ball shifting at tempo, they make the fitting selections and first touches, they’ve the velocity of thought to search out their teammates rapidly and on the fitting Saka can take males on to trigger all types of issues.
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“We gained a number of challenges and went on the counter fairly simply in these moments, however Arsenal have a lot high quality of their squad. I gained’t level out how a lot cash they spent, as that may be too banal, however the Premier League does have a really totally different kind of depth and tempo to Italian soccer.
“A few of us, together with myself, try to introduce one thing extra in that sense, the kind of strikes we wish to see, nevertheless it’s not a simple course of. We’ve acquired to keep up the assumption that we’re heading in the right direction.”