Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan – Cristian Chivu Urges His Players To “Learn From These Mistakes” | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu urged his Inter Milan players to learn from their mistakes after last night’s heartbreak against Atletico Madrid.

During his post-match conference via FCInterNews, the 45-year-old admitted that being ‘pretty’ on the eye is not enough for success.

Argentine coach Diego Simeone inflicted Chivu’s first-ever managerial loss in the Champions League.

Indeed, after winning his first four European games in charge of Inter, Cristian Chivu slumped to a 2-1 defeat in Madrid.

Despite Inter’s decent overall performance, Los Colchoneros seized the Italian side’s late lapse in concentration to take all three points.

On the bright side, Piotr Zielinski scored his first Champions League goal in the Nerazzurri shirt.

However, the 31-year-old’s goal was a mere consolation, as Jose Maria Gimenez inspired Atletico to a late victory.

As a result, Inter have suffered consecutive defeats for only the second time this season.

Therefore, it’s up to Chivu to find a way to reignite his team’s spirits ahead of Sunday’s must-win Serie A clash against Pisa.

Cristian Chivu Admits Playing ‘Attractive’ Football Is No Longer Enough

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu looks on before 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)

“Being attractive on the pitch isn’t enough, apparently,” Chivu admitted. “You have to add a little more.

“We had a furious reaction after Sunday, playing the first few minutes well.

“We made a mistake and conceded a goal.

“However, we reacted well, even if we didn’t create much.

“Yet through courage and determination, we did a little, even though we reached the box only a few times.

“In the second half, I think we started the game as we should have for the entire match, because we didn’t just want to hang on to the ball; we also attacked in depth.

“Then, of course, the home team reacted in this stadium.

“We dropped back a little, some energy began to run out, and we had to make substitutions to bring back energy, trying to give something that would allow us to do a bit more.

“I would say we mishandled some counterattacks in the final pass, in front of the goal.

“And then when we had the chance for another counterattack, we lost the ball, which led to the corner.

“From that corner, even though we had the best headers in the box, the tallest players, we conceded a goal.”

Cristian Chivu Urges Inter Milan to Learn from Mistakes After Atletico Madrid Fiasco

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu gesturesduring 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)

Asked what one should tell the players after a loss like this, Chivu replied: “You tell them to keep their heads up and learn from these mistakes.

“We need to add something because what we are doing isn’t enough.

“Work hard, and do not lose optimism, because in football, as in life, the wheel always turns.”

Meanwhile, Chivu praised Inter’s reaction after Sunday’s upset in the Milan derby.

“I saw the reaction,” he stated. “I saw a team that wanted to be what luck didn’t give us.

“Of course, you can always improve, but that happens in both losses and wins.

“We need to improve our ruthlessness, find that furious desire to be what we’re currently failing to be.”

Furthermore, he defended his man-marking tactics for set-pieces.

“If I’m not mistaken, this is the first goal we’ve conceded from a corner.

“Goals happen both with zonal and man marking. Given what we had on the field today, we needed to interpret something better.”

Unfortunately, Inter will likely be without Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian against Pisa.

“I don’t think so, we’ll go forward with the players we have now.

“You have to understand things better so as not to put the individual or the team in difficulty, and we’ll see what happens for Sunday.”

Finally, he once again reflected on last night’s defeat.

“We know how difficult it is to play in this stadium. Look at what these players bring technically and physically.

“Nevertheless, we held our own, putting them in difficulty.

“It’s a strong team, with great individuals and organization, that challenges you on all fronts.