Carlos Augusto: ‘Inter have freedom to battle now’ under Chivu | OneFootball

Carlos Augusto is looking forward to another ‘battle’ with Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup and notes Cristian Chivu allows Inter ‘more freedom without fear of committing fouls’ than Simone Inzaghi.

The Nerazzurri are through to the knockout stages of the tournament in the United States of America after winning their group.

Their next fixture is the Round of 16 against Brazilians Fluminense on Monday June 30, kicking off at 19.00 UK time (20.00 CET).

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 28: Carlos Augusto of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A TIM match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale – Serie A TIM at Stadio Artemio Franchi on January 28, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“It will be special for me and Luis Henrique, because we know Fluminense well and therefore know what we can expect,” Brazil international Carlos Augusto told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It will be a very difficult match, at least as much as against River Plate. Aside from the physicality of that match, we beat River thanks to our technique and need even more against Flu. Their centre-forward Cano is 37 years old, but still in great shape, scores lots of goals and moves well. Thiago Silva goes without saying, even at age 40, he’s still a legend in Brazil and Italy.”

The 2-0 victory over River Plate was perhaps the most ill-tempered of the Club World Cup so far and almost ended in a brawl involving Denzel Dumfries.

“You often see games like that in the Copa Libertadores! It’s part of the fun of the game. We did well to respond blow for blow, then score at the right moment. There was a little tension at the end, but nothing major.”

Carlos Augusto welcomes increased aggression at Inter

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 23: Carlos Augusto of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

A lack of grit and determination was the accusation aimed at Inter after the 5-0 Champions League Final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, which saw Inzaghi walk away for a new experience at Al-Hilal.

Now that former Nerazzurri defender Chivu is at the helm, there is already a change of attitude from the bench.

“We must always remember what we did wrong so that it doesn’t happen again, but football always gives you another chance,” added Carlos Augusto.

“We haven’t had much time to work with Chivu, but the players in this squad know each other so well that it doesn’t take much to ensure we stay connected even with some changes. He is bringing slightly different ideas, gradually, like being more vertical when we win back the ball, more pressing when we lose possession, perhaps also more determination, which you saw against River Plate.

“That too is important, being given the freedom to battle without fear of committing fouls. We are trying to feel more freedom in that sense, because we do have the technical quality to make the difference.”

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Cristian Chivu Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano reacts after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

It is not an entirely unsurprising criticism of Inzaghi, who famously would substitute a player almost immediately after he received a yellow card, fearful of being left down to 10 men.

Luis Henrique was brought in this summer from Olympique Marseille and is one of the few right-footed players in the Inter squad now.

“We have a nice community of left-footers here, like Dimarco, Bastoni, me, Acerbi, now also Carboni. Luis Henrique is a more Brazilian type of Brazilian player, whereas I’m more… Swiss,” laughed Carlos Augusto.

“We are both proud of our origins. Luis has the talent of a great player, a real Brazilian, and just needs a little time.”

While he has impressed at Inter, it was only recently that Carlos Augusto received a call for the national team from new coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“We spoke Italian and, if needed, I can help translate to Portuguese, even if he can communicate with more or less everyone in Spanish. His staff is learning the language at the speed of light, it’s a good sign. I can only say he is the right man in the right place, we needed a winner like this.”