Real Madrid 2-1 Inter: Chivu Praises Courage in Defeat
Cristian Chivu made clear he was not angry after Inter’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, insisting he was happy with the courage and character his side showed on a difficult night at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The result was Inter’s first defeat of the season, ending a strong start to the campaign. Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde punished defensive errors early on to put Real Madrid in control, before Carlos Augusto pulled one back in the 77th minute. Inter could not find the equaliser they were chasing.
The fixture also marked a reunion between Chivu and Jose Mourinho, the two men once bound together during Chivu’s playing days at San Siro. As SempreInter previewed, the meeting carried extra emotional weight given that shared history.
Chivu: ‘What Matters Is the Attitude’
Speaking to Sky Sport after the match, as quoted by Tutto Mercato Web, Chivu said: “Nu sunt deloc supărat. Sunt fericit pentru echipa mea, pentru curajul arătat și pentru modul în care a depășit momentele dificile.”
“Ceea ce contează este atitudinea și să crezi până la final. Aș spune că am făcut un meci bun pe Bernabeu. Asta mă face fericit și optimist pentru viitor. Greșelile fac parte din joc. Am rămas în meci, iar astăzi rămânem cu faptul că am jucat de la egal la egal cu o echipă atât de puternică precum Real Madrid,” he added.
The message was consistent throughout: the scoreline stung, but the performance did not. Chivu’s emphasis fell squarely on resilience and belief rather than the two defensive lapses that gifted Real Madrid their goals – a framing explored further in SempreInter’s pre-match analysis.
Praise for Martinez, Augusto and Mourinho
Asked about goalkeeper Josep Martinez’s reaction after his error led to Valverde’s goal, Chivu was defensive of his number one, describing the response as that of a top-level keeper who stayed focused and produced several important saves.
On facing Mourinho again, Chivu did not hide his affection for his old coach: “Țin enorm la el pentru încrederea pe care mi-a acordat-o într-o perioadă dificilă pentru mine. M-am bucurat să-l revăd și îi doresc tot ce e mai bun în acest sezon.”
He also singled out Carlos Augusto, exhausted by the end but rewarded with a goal, alongside the rest of the wide players – a group whose form has been closely tracked amid Inter’s Champions League squad planning this season.
