Chivu reacts to first victory in charge of Inter: ‘Doesn’t feel like it’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu admits that his first victory in charge of Inter ‘doesn’t feel’ like a first win given that he has already won so many times before with the Nerazzurri, but praised his players for overcoming a ‘serious’ challenge against Urawa Red Diamonds at the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night.

The Nerazzurri picked up their first win of the Club World Cup campaign, and their first since Chivu’s appointment, with a 2-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds thanks to late comeback goals from Lautaro Martinez and Valentin Carboni.

“It doesn’t feel like a first victory because I already won many games with Inter,” Chivu told Inter TV after picking up his first win since replacing Simone Inzaghi as head coach.

Chivu: ‘I’m proud, Inter gave everything they had’

Cristian Chivu Inter press conference during 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

“What pleases me is the attitude and the proof of character,” the new Nerazzurri coach continued. “We played a good game, it was a serious match in which we tried to score and create havoc in every way. They were very organised.

“In the second half, we tried to take advantage of crosses with Pio, we believed in the victory until the very end and we got it.

“I’m proud, the boys gave everything they had. I talk a lot about Valentin (Carboni), but I could also name Pio, Luis Henrique and Sucic, who gave so much.”

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 21: Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Chivu believes that it is still too soon to be talking about his preferred formation or set-up given the lack of time to prepare and the tough defensive opposition put up by the likes of Urawa Red Diamonds thus far.

“Talking about formations and systems against a team that defends so low is difficult,” Chivu explained.

“I liked that we looked for width and the quick attacks in numbers when we had two players behind the striker. I would have liked to try it until the end of the game, but we had to fill the area to take advantage of some of the crosses.”

He also explained that he is happy to give young players an opportunity, like the 20-year-old Carboni, who marked his first appearance in over eight months with a winning goal off the bench in the second minute of injury time.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 21: Valentin Carboni #45 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“This group is a mix of youth and experience. You need experience, but also fresh energy, hunger. I was pleased with the desire to get the victory, it wasn’t easy to manage the disadvantage.”

And on Carboni, he added: “I brought him in under age in the Primavera side. I’ve known him since he was a kid. I’m very happy for him. The fact that he is back with this goal after eight months from his knee injury makes me really happy.”