Chivu: "We want to be competitive and continue our campaign"

Inter are getting ready to face Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League playoffs. The Nerazzurri kick off in Norway at 21:00 CET on Wednesday, February 18. Cristian Chivu spoke at the Aspmyra Stadion ahead of the game tomorrow: What are your thoughts? "Tomorrow we’re playing in a different competition, four days later, and we know how important this match is. We're aware of our campaign, we’ve done quite well, but unfortunately we didn’t secure direct qualification to the Round of 16 and now we have to go through the play-offs against a tough team that has caused problems for City and Real. We know they are a strong side, because of the level they’ve reached at the moment but also because of the growth of Norwegian football, with the national team having qualified directly for the World Cup".

How has it been following the Juventus match and in the run up to this match?

"Football has been like this for 100 years, there are incidents for and against you, and we need to stop constantly complaining and acting like moralists every time there’s a case like this on a Sunday, ever since Maradona’s handball goal. We too suffered an injustice in Naples,I’m saying this for the first time today, and no one was offended and no one criticised it the way they are now. So we move forward aware that the season is long, that we want to be competitive, and that we want to build on the good things we’ve done, without forgetting how we were portrayed at the start of the season and the reaction and determination this group has shown".

How do you explain the fact that these things only happen in football?

"You have to wonder why football is the most loved sport despite everything that happens. Do we like criticism and controversy or not?"

Will Dimarco start? How is Çalhanoğlu doing?

"I can’t answer that question. I know who will play tomorrow, but I’m not going to say. As for Calha, I can say that he hasn’t travelled with us".

Are you worried about the artificial pitch?

"There is always concern for the players’ safety because I care that they are all fit and healthy, as we need everyone in a league with such a congested schedule. We’re holding our final training session here to get used to the weather conditions and the pitch. There’s no guarantee that miracles will happen, but from a mental point of view we’ll be ready to battle, aware that this team has achieved great results both here and away. They are ambitious and will do everything they can to put us under pressure and win, but we’ll be ready to do the same to adapt to the match in this stadium and we’ll be prepared for 180 minutes, since it will be played over two legs".

Are you impressed by the climate, by the snow?

"We’re not impressed by the snow — we see it every day from our training ground. What impresses us is what Bodo has done and what they can do. They have spirit, quality, and many players who are performing well. The football movement there is growing a lot, and we’ll have to be sharp and ready for anything".