Chivu laid into sluggish Inter when 2-0 down: ‘What I said remains between us’

BOLOGNA, ITALY - MAY 23: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and FC Internazionale at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on May 23, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Cristian Chivu hints he let Inter have it during the half-time break, inspiring another comeback for the 2-2 with Roma. ‘Certain things remain between me and the players.’

The Nerazzurri showed the best and worst of their season so far at the Stadio Olimpico, as the Manu Koné brace saw them go 2-0 down for the fourth game in a row between Serie A and the Champions League.

However, they only lost one of those matches, 2-1 to Real Madrid, as Lautaro Martinez struck twice to claw back a 2-2 thriller in this Scudetto showdown.

Chivu gave Inter a strong talking to

“I’ll start from the second half, as I told the players what I thought of that during the half-time break and it remains between us,” noted Chivu to DAZN Italia.

“It is the absolute truth, it is what I think, and I am convinced they know it too.”

Evidently, the coach gave his players the hair-dryer treatment in the dressing room of the Stadio Olimpico.

“I will focus on the second half, which in terms of attitude, grit and character was remarkable. We were up against a great opponent, we know what Roma represent, and it was an entertaining match.

“I think in the second half, we dragged out a little more than we’ve seen so far this season. We’ve got to build on that. I repeat, certain things remain between me and the players, but it remains a good point in a difficult place for anyone to play.”

Much as their resilience is admirable, it must be a concern that Inter need to be shaken into life by the pressure of an epic comeback.

They have also conceded nine goals in their last four competitive games.

“We’ve got to do better with our initial approach, with understanding the intensity of the opponents. I won’t demand we surpass them in terms of intensity, but at least to match them,” continued Chivu.

“Our position at this time last season was actually worse than now, don’t forget we’ve got 13 points after two head-to-head clashes with direct rivals like Napoli and Roma. There’s a lot to work on, we know that, but I will take the good things we did in the second half.”

The reigning Champions of Italy remain top on 13 points with Roma, but could be joined by Como and Lazio by the end of the weekend.

“I won’t say what I said in the dressing room, everyone knows what we didn’t do in the first half. There are always two phases, with and without the ball, and we’ve got to do better without it.”

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off for Sandro Mazzola, the Inter legend who had only recently asked for the gift of getting to celebrate another Scudetto and Champions League.

“I join the entire football world in sending my condolences, because we lost a true icon of Inter and Italian football, a legend, and we send our thoughts to the family,” replied Chivu.