Cristian Chivu admits Inter’s dismal document in massive video games ‘weighed’ on them in , however denied Alessandro Bastoni dived to get Pierre Kalulu despatched off.
The Nerazzurri had didn’t beat any of the opposite massive golf equipment up to now this season, however even right here they had been compelled to attend till the ninetieth minute to lastly break 10-man Juve down.
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Andrea Cambiaso bizarrely scored at each ends for 1-1 earlier than the controversial Pierre Kalulu pink card, then Francesco Pio Esposito’s header was cancelled out by Manuel Locatelli.
It was finally determined by a Piotr Zielinski shot that wrong-footed Michele Di Gregorio when going by way of Locatelli’s legs for the 3-2 outcome.
Chivu balances criticism and reward of Inter
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: FC Internazionale Milano gamers have fun their workforce’s first aim which was an personal aim scored by Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus (not pictured) throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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“We wished to concentrate on the efficiency greater than the outcome this season, however as you’ve been reminding me continuously, Inter had not crushed an enormous membership in Serie A for 2 years, so the lads felt that strain,”
“With coronary heart and character, we did what we wanted to with a purpose to carry residence the victory. I’ll take the willpower and the will to all the time harm a workforce that has been inflicting issues for each opponent since Luciano Spalletti arrived. They’re a formidable workforce, each collectively and individually.”
as regards to that Kalulu pink card that Spalletti refused to talk to the media, as a substitute sending administrators Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being despatched off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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Chivu famously tries to keep away from discussing the refereeing in any scenario, however
“I believe it’s a gentle contact, however it’s nonetheless a contact. After I handled comparable conditions within the Champions League, I informed my gamers to not put themselves in a scenario the place they power the referee to make the decision,” famous the coach.
He was after all .
“Even when it’s gentle, and we now have to confess it’s a gentle contact, my participant nonetheless felt the contact and was working at full pace. Kalulu is an skilled participant and he should know that in these conditions, you retain your fingers to your self.”
CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Coach Cristian Chivu of FC Internazionale reacts throughout the Serie A match between US Cremonese and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Picture by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Photos)
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Chivu evidently knew that Bastoni was in danger, as a result of the defender was already on a yellow card and arguably was simply as prone to get despatched off for simulation in that transfer as Kalulu was for the problem, so he substituted the Italian at half-time.
“I modified Bastoni as a result of I used to be afraid of Conceicao, however seeing as Conceicao then was substituted, I might’ve left him on,” insisted the Inter boss.
The Romanian was a defender, so how would he have actually reacted if that pink card had been given towards him on the sphere?
“If I’m on a yellow card, I don’t put my fingers on an opponent, particularly on a counter-attack when I’m anticipated by the opponent,” insisted Chivu.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale Milano shoots and hits the put up throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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Inter had been on the high of the Serie A desk regardless of not managing to win a single head-to-head battle, and the coach absolutely admits this statistic affected them psychologically.
“I hope that tonight’s sport is the turning level for the psychological and even bodily block that this workforce has. I didn’t just like the efficiency, we didn’t have the legs or sharpness to do what we had ready or play our soccer.
“On the finish of the day, I’ll take the victory, and was making an attempt to inform them that they gained in Dortmund. You sensed tonight the nervousness of a aspect that hadn’t been in a position to win an enormous sport for 2 years, it was weighing on them,” confessed Chivu.
“We should additionally give credit score to Juventus, who brought on us issues with their motion, their high quality, and the type of soccer proposed by Spalletti. They’re in fine condition, and even right down to 10 males managed to equalise. Once we had been 2-1 up, we must always’ve managed the scenario higher, the concern set in, however I’m glad we pushed to the top for the victory and gained it with an incredible Zielinski aim.”