Inter Milan 3-0 Cagliari – Nerazzurri Head Coach Praises Second-Half Intensity & Plays Down Renewal Talks: ‘I Want To Only Think About The Pitch’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu delivered a measured, self-aware and occasionally humorous post-match assessment after Inter Milan’s commanding 3-0 victory over Cagliari, praising his side’s second-half transformation, reflecting on the human qualities of his squad and deftly sidestepping questions about his own contract renewal with the kind of focused pragmatism that has defined his entire tenure.

The Inter head coach spoke to Sky Sport after the final whistle at San Siro, with quotes via FCInterNews.

A flat first half had given way to a dominant second-half display, and Chivu was characteristically precise in explaining the difference.

The interviewer opened by noting Inter had secured Champions League qualification, referencing Chivu’s tongue-in-cheek “we are just chasing the Champions League” line from previous weeks.

The coach responded with a smile. “Not quite, I was being ironic. Anyway, we are happy. Thank you for the compliments.”

Chivu Notes Improvement In Second Half

On the first-half difficulty and how Inter unlocked the match, Chivu was detailed and tactical.

“We knew the importance of the game. In the first half we were slow in our ball circulation and they ran less, occupying the pitch very well.

“In the second half we stretched them wider, brought the strikers closer, raised the intensity and broke the deadlock. When you open a match like that, the team releases the pressure, starts to enjoy itself and plays.”

His description of the dressing room mood afterwards was pure Chivu, warm, humorous and revealing.

“I see very little, they are all with their heads down, phone in hand. It is a generation I call a ‘one-hand’ generation because in one hand they always have their phone and with the other they do everything else.”

He then turned serious.

“There is awareness of the work done, of how much good has been built to be competitive. We have reached the Champions League objective, now we think about being competitive until the very end.”

Inter 3-0 Cagliari – Chivu Insists Contract Is Not His Focus As He Channels All Energy Into Title Run-In

On the wider question of what Inter need to become consistently competitive in the Champions League, Chivu touched on something deeper than tactics or transfer fees.

“There are also the human qualities of these players, who left last season behind them. It was not simple, but they put themselves on the line, showed their face, tried to react to the difficulties and maintain something important that had been built.”

He then acknowledged the challenge of competing with English clubs.

“For the Champions League it is never simple, you face opponents of a certain level, especially the English ones who reinforce every year by spending enormous amounts of money.

“But it is not guaranteed that you reach the final by winning the cup, there are a thousand examples and I do not even want to cite them. We want to always be competitive and on point.”

On the question of his contract renewal, with his deal expiring next season, Chivu was firm and focused.

“I have never talked about these things with them, I was busy achieving Champions League qualification. It will be discussed.

“There will be time for that. It is still a long way. I prefer my energy to remain on football and not on the future. It is not finished yet. I am not superstitious.”