Chivu: ‘Inter not competitive enough, but Bodo/Glimt had more energy’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu points out Bodo/Glimt ‘had more energy’ than Inter, as they only have the Champions League, but admits the Nerazzurri were ‘not competitive’ enough in Europe.

It was already a mountain to climb after the 3-1 first leg defeat in Norway, but there was no blaming the artificial turf after the 2-1 home loss at San Siro.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: General view outside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The absence of Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu was felt, as they were toothless in attack despite dominating the game and having several chances.

Manuel Akanji’s howler to gift Jens-Petter Hauge the opener here was the turning point, as Bodo/Glimt then added a second through Hakon Evjen, with Alessandro Bastoni’s attempt from a corner too little, too late.

Chivu feels Inter stretched thin

Cristian Chivu during his pre-match press conference on the eve of Inter vs. Bodo/Glimt (February 23, 2026).

“We tried everything we could from the start,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“We were up against a very well-organised team with a low defensive block, keeping 10-11 players behind the ball. Probably the fact we didn’t break the deadlock gave them extra psychological comfort, knowing we needed to score two goals just to get it to extra time.”

Bodo/Glimt have now registered four consecutive Champions League victories over Inter, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

It is also notable their league is on a break, so since mid-September their only matches have been in this competition.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Jens Petter Hauge of Bodo/Glimt (obscured) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I have nothing to reproach my players for, as they tried everything they could with all the energy they had, and in the second half Bodo had a lot more energy than we did,” continued Chivu.

“We gave all that we had, tried to break the deadlock in every way, but then after the restart they scored two goals.

“There is a lot of disappointment, as unfortunately we were against a side that had a lot more energy than us, they were very well-organised, knew that they had to do after the 3-1 first leg result and did it brilliantly.

“We can only congratulate Bodo/Glimt, they are a team who deserve to be in the next round.”

Click here for the Football Italia Player Ratings: Inter 1-2 Bodo/Glimt

Inter had reached the Champions League Final twice in three years under Simone Inzaghi, but had not gone out of the tournament this early since Antonio Conte failed to get out of the group stage in 2020-21.

At least they had passage into the Europa League that time, but the new format means their continental adventures end here.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale Milano passes the ball while under pressure from Fredrik Sjovold of Bodo/Glimt during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Our objective was to be competitive, we always said that, and we never intended to think too far in the future for things we are unable to control,” added the coach.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to be competitive in the Champions League. We had started well and won four games in a row, then unfortunately we dropped a few points despite good performances.

“It’s a high level here, if you don’t manage to convert your chances and make the right choices, you will be punished at the first mistake.”

The main problem put to Chivu today was the sluggish tempo, so Fabio Capello in the Sky Sport Italia studio asked if he had considered moving Nicolò Barella into a deeper role compared to Piotr Zielinski.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Referee Alejandro Hernandez and Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano interact after a penalty appeal for hand ball for FC Internazionale Milano during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We tried to force our way through the midfielders and strikers behind their defensive lines, I had asked them to move the ball around quicker, more cross-field passes to destabilise the dense and well-organised 4-4-2,” replied Chivu.

“The few times we got into the box, there were important situations, but we didn’t find the right pass or manage to shrug off the markers. There were many corner kicks, but with more efficiency we could’ve scored there.

“We have certain strengths and weaknesses, it’s a pity we didn’t score earlier, as that would’ve put a lot more pressure on.”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale Milano heads the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio San Siro on February 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter are still 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, and will face Como in the Coppa Italia semi-final, but it felt like this season they were more focused on those targets than the Champions League.

“It’s hard to find the energy when you play every three days. I cannot ask for more from my lads, as they tried everything this evening. If we’d managed to break the deadlock, it might’ve sparked more enthusiasm, but it was so difficult when they defended with 10 men,” insisted Chivu.

“There is great disappointment, as we wanted to at least be competitive in Europe, but we were against a team that played four games in the last three months, all of them in the Champions League.

“We turn the page, we go forward, this is the Champions League, we have to give credit to our opponents and what they achieved.”