Although Inter lead the Serie A standings and have solid results in the Champions League, the atmosphere around the team is far from calm.
The Italian Super Cup failure, losing on penalties to Bologna after a regular-time draw, reignited the discontent.
Analysts in the Italian sports press believe that the team looks good as a game, but does not always manage to turn superiority into victories. These disappointing results have led to criticism directed at Cristi Chivu, who is increasingly being pointed to as the one to blame for the formation’s missteps.
“Seven defeats without meriting any. It is not a coincidence. There is also no question of a lack of personality within the team, as a club that reaches the Champions League final twice in three seasons cannot face such a thing. So what’s the problem? Is it about arrogance? Do Inter feel invincible and therefore feel they are destined to win? Indeed, that’s how it seemed on Friday, with Bologna, after an excellent start to the game!”reported the Gazzetta dello sport.
“Inter are content to be dominated!”
The Italian press believes that the responsibility for the recovery of the team rests with Cristi Chivu. Journalists say that Inter do not show enough determination, intensity and concentration in the game. In their opinion, these problems arise because of the too gentle style of the Romanian coach.
For comparison, the Italians recall former coaches José Mourinho and Antonio Conte, known for their authority and discipline at Inter, traits that Chivu would not display at the same level.
“Bastoni explained: ‘What we are is because of Chivu’ – it was a nice compliment, but that’s also true in a negative sense. The young manager, in his first season back in Serie A, is still a good team-mate but needs to develop his detachment and authority to turn an Inter side that is too often content to look good and dominant into a successful ones!”Gazzetta also specified.
As for the players considered responsible for the team’s problems, the Italians point to Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who are said to be struggling defensively. Also criticized are defenders Bisseck, Dimarco and even Bastoni, appreciated for their offensive contribution rather than their defensive safety. These weaknesses would also have led to the negative result against Bologna, in the match played in Riyadh.
The derby with Napoli becomes decisive for Chivu
The recent results were not easy to accept, and the quick elimination from the Italian Super Cup, held in Saudi Arabia, generated dissatisfaction both in the club’s management and in the technical staff. The situation was all the more frustrating as Inter returned home with around 2.4 million euros, a sum considered modest in relation to the effort put in and the pressure of travel. In this context, the confrontation with Napoli becomes extremely important for the course of the season.
Currently, Cristi Chivu’s position is not in question. Both Giuseppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio believe that the Romanian is the right man for the transition period after the departure of Simone Inzaghi. However, the duel with Antonio Conte represents an important test of his balance and maturity as a coach.
Inter have difficulty getting wins in major matches against teams like Napoli, AC Milan or Juventus, and to stay in the title fight and win the 21st “scudetto”, these victories become crucial. The match with Napoli is scheduled for January 11, but until then the “nerazzurri” will face Atalanta, Bologna and Parma.
He missed the first trophy in his coaching career
Cristi Chivu missed out on the first trophy of his coaching career after Inter Milan were knocked out by Bologna in the Italian Super Cup. The game played in Riyadh ended in a draw, 1-1, and the qualification was decided on penalty kicks, where Bologna won, score 3-2. Inter missed three penalties, while the opponents fouled twice. In the final, Bologna will meet Napoli.
Inter got off to a great start and quickly scored in the 2nd minute through Marcus Thuram after a decisive pass from Bastoni. Bologna got back into the game in the 35th minute when Riccardo Orsolini converted a penalty.
In the second half of the match, Inter initially received a new penalty, but the referee reversed the decision after consulting the VAR. As the score did not change until the end of regular time, the match went to penalty kicks. There, after many missed executions by both teams, Bologna prevailed and qualified for the final of the Italian Super Cup.
“Missed penalties? For me, the courage of those who take on these responsibilities is enough. You can’t coach situations like that. I appreciate the courage of those who raised their hand and had the sense of responsibility to execute. Then, it can be wrong.
“In football you fall, cry, get up and try again!”
I take credit for the performance, from our approach to what we did in the second half. This is an opponent who causes problems for anyone and should be congratulated. In the second half, if I’m not mistaken, it was just us on the field. This is how I saw the match: I dominated the game. Unfortunately, in front of goal we made some mistakes and their defensive line was good in defending those situations.
As always in football and in life: you fall, cry, get up and try again. That’s all. Great champions get out of their comfort zone. This group has the duty, but also the technical and human qualities, to get out of a situation like this!”said Chivu, after the defeat with Bologna.
