Cristian Chivu Focuses On ‘Moving Forward’ After Inter Milan Exit Supercoppa With Defeat To Bologna & Justifies Decision To Bench Star Forward | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu urged Inter to look ahead after their Supercoppa Italiana campaign ended in Riyadh, with Bologna progressing to the final after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

Speaking to Sport Mediaset after full-time, the Inter coach focused first on the shootout itself, framing it as an uncontrollable element of the game.

“Penalties are a lottery,” Chivu said, with quotes via FCInterNews.

“For me, it’s enough to see the courage to raise your hand and say you’re ready to take one. It’s something you can’t really train, it’s an emotion that’s difficult to manage.”

Despite the outcome, he praised his players’ response, adding that he takes “the personality of these champions, who played a great match, especially in the second half,” highlighting that they showed “things I always want to see in my team.”

Chivu Defends Selection Choices After Inter Exit Supercoppa At Hands Of Bologna

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano reacts to a missed shot on goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Asked about controversial moments and visible tension on the bench, Chivu refused to be drawn into refereeing debates.

“I don’t talk about referees,” he stated.

“They have VAR and can review things. I look at the group and focus on how we can improve. In good times and bad, we always move forward with our heads held high. Mistakes can happen everywhere, and I have nothing to complain about.”

Chivu identified Bologna’s reaction after scoring as the biggest challenge. “Right after their goal, their pressure caused us problems,” he explained.

“We struggled to find a way out. In the second half, though, we took control, played more in their half and created some situations. But in football, if you don’t score, you end up with penalties, and that’s a lottery.”

The decision to leave Lautaro Martinez on the bench was also addressed directly. “I’m not thinking about the final or the next match,” Chivu said.

“It was our eighth game in 20 days, and he needed rest too. January will bring many important matches and you need players at 100 per cent. We don’t want to lose anyone along the way.”

He added that the same logic applied to players like Akanji and Calhanoglu.

Indeed stressing that “the schedule is demanding and the group has to be managed.”

Finally, Chivu defended his faith in squad rotation.

“I have 25 players who deserve to play, who need opportunities and trust,” he concluded. “The team has big ambitions, but the season is long and you always need everyone.”

Chivu On How The Game Was Lost, Praises Bologna Intensity

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu looks on before the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Chivu then spoke to Inter TV, where he revealed more of his thoughts in the immediate aftermath of the game.

“We started well and then suffered Bologna’s intensity. Which put us in trouble. Then we couldn’t find the right moves. We came back and created something at the end of the first half, and in the second half we showed quality, intensity and aggression. We tried until the end, but then penalties were a lottery and we lost.”

He did not appear too disheartened, encouraging his side to “get back up with the knowledge of who you are”, adding that “the boys have always shown that they can bounce back.”