Ajax 0-2 Inter Milan: Chivu Hails Nerazzurri’s “Maturity” After Champions League Win: “We Needed To Be Rewarded For Work We’re Doing” | OneFootball

Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu addressed the press after last night’s 2-0 Champions League triumph over Ajax.

During his post-match chat with FCInterNews, the 44-year-old hailed his side’s ‘maturity’ and praised his attacking duo.

Inter desperately needed victory in Amsterdam to restore confidence after a 4-3 defeat at Juventus last weekend.

Despite Ajax’s fall from grace, it was never going to be a walk in the park for the Nerazzurri.

And it was not. The Lancers gave the Serie A giants a run for their money.

However, Marcus Thuram was too hot to handle, notching up a brace to seal Ajax’s fate.

Meanwhile, Francesco Pio Esposito partnered up with the French star in the absence of Lautaro Martinez.

Indeed, El Toro had to stay on the bench due to back pain.

“He has a back problem,” Cristian Chivu confirmed. “Today, he felt a bit better, but he wasn’t in condition to play.

“We agreed to rest him so he can recover as soon as possible.”

Then, he heaped praise on Thuram and Esposito.

“I’m happy for Marcus, but also for Esposito, Lautaro, and Bonny,” Chivu added. “He worked really hard, and together with Pio, they even tried a few good combinations.

“I’m happy for him because he scored twice. For Pio, it was his European debut, but he’s already showing great maturity, and he deserves to be part of this team.

“I’m happy with everyone’s performance.

“We needed to lift morale and add some certainty that the work we’ve been doing has always been of a good level.”

Cristian Chivu Praises Inter Milan Performance After Ajax Win

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, gestures during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We’ve always done the work,” Chivu stated. “The desire to put in performances has always been there, and that showed in the work done during the week.

“Of course, you’re judged on results, as I said yesterday, that’s only fair.

“But this team has always wanted to dominate games and deliver performances to bring home results.

“Unfortunately, in football, small episodes are decisive – it’s a fine line between winning and losing.

“Today we showed maturity, trying to impose ourselves right from the start.

“We knew that in the Champions League, you always have to stay alert because teams can hurt you at any moment.

“My choices are based on what I see – how they train, their desire to bounce back.

“A coach should never try to cause damage; that’s the last thing I want to do.

“We always try to add something, but we can’t fall into the trap of listening to outside noise. A victory doesn’t make us better, just like we weren’t worse before.

“We need continuity in our results and must keep working hard like we’ve done so far.”

Then, he hailed Yann Sommer’s response to last weekend’s fiasco in Turin.

“You answer that yourselves – I’ve already said what I think. We knew his worth.

“For me, it’s not a surprise, you’re the ones who give the judgments.”

Chivu Responds to Criticism

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, reacts following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“I don’t have any scores to settle,” the 44-year-old contiuned. “I know who I am and what I can give.

“A coach is judged by results, and that’s fair. But, as I said before, I don’t feel better or worse than before.

“I just try to give my all by doing my job. I didn’t feel worse before, and I don’t feel better now.

“Indeed, I don’t see myself as less of a coach than anyone else; I just do my job and give my best for my club.

“Therefore, I don’t think about my reputation, I think about improving the team.”

Moreover, Chivu appreciated Inter’s approach last night.

“We played at our best with high pressing and ball possession.

“It was important to win the ball back in their half, and we did it very well with maturity.

“We had the desire to win, to improve, and that was clear to see.”

Finally, he admitted he was happy to meet his old friend, John Heitinga, again.

“Heitinga is doing well, I’m happy to see him as well as all the people I worked with in Amsterdam between 1999 and 2003.”