Chivu: "If there's a team that can turn this tie around, it's ours"

Inter are preparing to face Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League playoff tie between the sides. The Nerazzurri will take to the pitch at San Siro on Tuesday 24 February at 21:00 CET. On the eve of the clash, Cristian Chivu answered journalists’ questions during the press conference held at the BPER Training Centre in Appiano Gentile:

What did the first leg in Norway teach you? "It taught us what we already knew before facing them: that it wouldn't be easy, both because of the pitch conditions and the weather. We needed to adapt better to the context of the match, but unfortunately we weren't able to do that for the entire game, only in patches. We knew the strength of our opponents: what they achieved in the league phase wasn't by chance. They drew in Dortmund, beat Manchester City, and won in Madrid. We knew they could cause us problems. At times, we struggled and gave up a few opportunities. We hope that tomorrow it won't happen again."

Will the absence of a leader like Lautaro Martinez affect the team's play? How do you plan to adapt without him? "We have plenty of leaders, as we've shown since the start of the season. Everyone who steps onto the pitch feels responsible for what they can give to the team. We draw on the leadership, drive, hunger, hard work and humility we've shown over these months, as well as the growth we've achieved. We hope to continue building on these foundations."

The Champions League-winning Inter side you were part of staged a decisive comeback in Kyiv on the way to that triumph. How confident is this group going into a match like this? "These players have confidence, and they've shown it over the past three months. We've had highs and lows, including losing games in the Champions League, but that hasn't taken away our trust, self-belief, or work ethic. It doesn't matter if one battle is lost; what counts is giving your best in every match and being the best version of ourselves."

How much of a role does the psychological factor play? They're no longer the underdogs, while you're almost obliged to give it a go until the very end. "It's not an obligation, it's a duty. We have to do what we know how to do, step onto the pitch with confidence, and be aware that if there's a team that can turn this tie around, it's ours. We mustn't lose our balance, confidence, or self-belief. A match lasts 90, 100, even 120 minutes, and maybe penalties after that. We mustn't rush to score and then leave ourselves open. It's about managing key moments."

Does your ten-point advantage over AC Milan in the league subconsciously change your approach to this match? "No. We lost 3-1 in the first leg, and that's what matters. The league doesn't come into it. We have to turn this tie around and be the best version of ourselves."

Would it be shameful to lose against a team from a city of 50,000 inhabitants, with an 8000-seat stadium? "There's nothing shameful in football. It's about the work of a club and a team, on both sides. We respect our opponents. Bodø have proven their quality against us, in Madrid, against Manchester City, in Dortmund. It's a well-run project with clear ideas. There's no shame on our part: they were better, and we congratulated them."

For a comeback like this, do you stick to a plan or go with the flow of the emotions? "We don't need to completely change the game plan. We have to turn a tie around, but without losing our balance or confidence. Conceding a goal also doesn't mean anything. Football is unpredictable. What's required is maturity, calmness, focus, character, organisation, and balance. And, of course, individual quality."

In comebacks, how much does the coach's motivation matter? Do you remember any comebacks from your playing days? "I was the type of player who didn't listen to the coach very much (smiles). I relied on my own thoughts, my responsibility, and my self-belief. I was more worried about not letting my teammates down. You don't need to motivate them too much; they know how important it is. If there's a team that can turn this around, it’s us – but with respect for Bodø, who won in Madrid where we couldn't."

It's the first time you have to prepare a match that needs to be won by two or three goals. Does it change your attacking approach? "No. We are a team that has built the season on consistency. We score more than two goals per game, have many wins, and 17 different scorers. We've corrected the mistakes from the first leg and perhaps simplified a few things. But we always prepare for a match with clarity and calmness, fully aware of what we are."

Did off-field events last week affect the team's focus? "It was an unusual week after the Juventus match and everything that happened. But I'm proud of how the players responded on Saturday – it wasn't easy."