Chivu Defends Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez After Post-Fluminense Outburst: ‘I’ve Said The Same Things, He Just Didn’t Hold Back’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu understands the anger of Inter Milan captain Latuaro Martinez after the team lost 0-2 against Fluminense.

The Nerazzurri coach spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, after the Club World Cup round of sixteen loss.

Inter are out of the Club World Cup. The Nerazzurri lost 0-2 against Brazilian side Fluminense in the round of sixteen.

And after the match, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez did not mince words.

The Argentine insisted that “anyone who wants to leave, should leave” in his comments after the match.

This could perhaps be open to a number of interpretations. Whether it was a veiled jab at the departure of Simone Inzaghi for big money at Al-Hilal, or a response to the transfer rumours surrounding Hakan Calhanoglu.

But as much as any of that, it was also just an expression of sincere frustration from the Inter captain.

The Nerazzurri have spent the last few weeks trying to use the Club World Cup to rebuild their shattered momentum. And today’s lost showed just how far they have to go.

Cristian Chivu Defends Outburst From Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 12, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

After Martinez’s comments, Inter coach Cristian Chivu said that “we’re winners, sometimes we show our pride and character.”

“I also said the same kind of things in the press conference. That we have to all stay in the same boat.”

“He said the same kind of things, but without holding back,” Chivu said.

“But that applies to everyone. To a team, and to a club that are hungry to redeem themselves for a season that wasn’t hard to manage.”

Chivu made clear that Inter “want to plan for next season with ambition.”

Meanwhile, the Inter coach admitted his team lacked “freshness” compared to Fluminense this evening.

“We didn’t start off the way a team that wanted to give their all on the pitch should.”

“We suffered from the intensity and pressure they brought. We were a bit presumptuous, looking to play pretty football when we could have done things simply.”

“But that’s who we are,” Chivu added. “The energy we had was evident.”

“We tried to turn it around right until the end. We were also unlucky hitting the inside of the post, and the chance for de Vrij.”

“In the end, we conceded two goals from three shots on target,” Chivu said.