According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the twelfth match on the bench in the Champions League for Chivu represents an appointment not to be missed. Inter faces Bruges tonight at San Siro after the defeat in the opening match of the group stage against Real Madrid, and a victory is considered necessary to set the path towards direct qualification for the round of 16.
“If the goal is direct qualification for the round of 16: Inter must beat Bruges tonight at San Siro and collect as many points as possible in the next three rounds, against Shakhtar, Feyenoord, and Stuttgart. Because then they will have to face Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool and will have Slovan Bratislava as a backup card in the eighth and final matchday,” writes the newspaper.
The Milanese daily also recalls the European profile of the Romanian coach. In the previous eleven continental matches, Chivu has never drawn: five wins and six defeats, a record that Gazzetta defines as “contradictory.” The only prestigious victory came against Borussia Dortmund; on the other hand, there are defeats against Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and two losses against Bodo in the playoffs of the last edition.
As an Inter player, Chivu lifted the Champions League in 2010, the year of the Treble. As a coach, the journey in the top European competition is still to be built. “Chivu must step out of the comfort zone of Serie A, a league in which he excels, and get in tune with Europe,” concludes Gazzetta.
CONTINUE READING