New Inter Milan Head Coach Hails Team Recovery After Bad Beat In Champions League Final: “Wonderful Response” | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu gears up for his touchline debut as Inter Milan take on CF Monterrey in their opening FIFA Club World Cup fixture tonight.

Speaking to Sport Mediaset via FCInterNews, the 44-year-old praised the team’s recovery after recent slumps.

It wasn’t the season Inter had hoped for.

In addition to losing a dramatic Scudetto race to Napoli by a thin margin, they suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Champions League final.

Paris Saint-Germain demolished the Nerazzurri 5-0 in Simone Inzaghi’s farewell game.

Though it’s been just over two weeks since the Munich fiasco, the team seems to be getting back on track.

Indeed, Cristian Chivu is ready to erase the memory of a second Champions League heartbreak in three years.

Monterrey will be his first opposition as the two sides lock horns at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Cristian Chivu Praises Inter Milan Response After Champions League Disappointment

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Cristian Chivu head coach of Parma calcio during the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Well, the full squad has only been together for two days,” Chivu stated. “The international players had a few days off.

“We’ve been trying to find the motivation and enthusiasm for this competition. The players’ response has been fantastic.

“They immediately made themselves available, despite the difficulties and the scars that remain from what happened at the end of May.

“But we move forward. We’re a team that wants to compete on every stage.

“We must not lose sight of the path we’ve taken, we need to live up to this competition.”

Meanwhile, Chivu doesn’t underestimate the importance of the Club World Cup.

“It’s not about emotion, it’s about the desire and curiosity to take part in a new kind of competition,” he added.

“This tournament has a certain charm, and the season isn’t over yet.

“We’ll try to be the best version of ourselves, continuing the team’s identity from recent years. We want to be worthy of such an important competition.”

New Signings & Set-up Changes

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – DECEMBER 3: Luis Henrique of Botafogo reacts after missing a goal during the match between Botafogo and Cruzeiro as part of Brasileirao 2023 at Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos on December 3, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images)

Petar Sucic and Luis Henrique are in contention for places in the starting line-up.

Indeed, both newcomers could make their Inter debuts tonight, even though the latter is still building up his fitness.

“They’ve just arrived, and I’m happy to see them on the pitch,” Chivu said.

“Luis Henrique had a few more days of vacation and is gradually building up his fitness.

“Petar was with his national team and has played matches, so he’s a bit more physically ready.

“We’ll see what decisions we make, but you’ll definitely see them during this tournament.”

Finally, the Romanian tactician discussed the possibility of altering Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 formation.

“In my opinion, people focus too much on numbers, systems, and formations.

“We’ll try to be a fluid, asymmetrical team.

“We want to maintain our core principles while improving and adding new ones without throwing away the good things built over the past years.

“Indeed, we’ll simply build on those foundations with a few added ideas.”