Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan – Cristian Chivu Explains His Personnel Decisions: “That’s Why I Took Off Bonny & Zielinski” | OneFootball

Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu discussed his in-game management after a painful 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Speaking to Prime Video via FCInterNews, Chivu explained why he subbed off Ange-Yoan Bonny and Piotr Zielinski.

After winning their opening four matches, Inter had an opportunity to make history in this clash.

Indeed, the Nerazzurri could have won their first five Champions League games for the first time in the club’s history.

However, the game didn’t start well for the visitors as Julian Alvarez put Atletico Madrid in front in the ninth minute.

French referee Francois Letexier first disallowed the goal for Alex Baena’s handball in the build-up.

Yet, he changed his decision after consulting with the side-pitch monitor.

Despite trailing the Spanish giants by a goal, Inter never seemed to be on the back foot.

Chivu’s side created several decent chances before Piotr Zielinski restored parity at the start of the second half.

When it looked like the sides would share the spoils, Jose Maria Gimenez propelled Los Rojiblancos to a last-gasp win.

As a result, Inter lost back-to-back matches for only the second time under Cristian Chivu.

Cristian Chivu Breaks Down In-Game Calls After Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan Defeat

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale looks on during the Pre-season Friendly match between AC Monza and FC Internazionale at U-Power Stadium on August 12, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I smoked three cigarettes one after the other,” Chivu confessed after the match. “I told the team what needed to be said.

“There’s a lot of regret given the circumstances of this match. We didn’t deserve to lose, but lately we’re taking home almost nothing.

“I saw a lot of bitterness in the players, but that’s football; we have to react and do everything possible to get through it.

“There are moments when the wheel turns, in life as in football; luck will come back to you to help you win a match.

“We could have managed the counterattacks better and the final pass in the last ten minutes, and understood when to hold the ball more in build-up.

“These are things we’ll review on video. Then they score from a corner with the tallest players in the area.

“Unfortunately, it happens; we had the best jumpers, but we should have avoided that corner.

“We had the chance to break forward, but we lost the ball, and the corner came from that. Lots of disappointment.”

Finally, he explained his decision to take Bonny and Zielinski off the pitch.

“Zielinski had a thigh problem; he told me he could only last another five minutes.

“I took Bonny off because I needed fresh legs. I needed Thuram and Esposito.

“One to push the team forward, and the other, with his speed, to help us exploit the counterattacks we should have had.”