Chivu Takes Responsibility After Inter’s Chaotic 4-3 Loss to Club Brugge
Inter’s Champions League position has become markedly more difficult after a 4-3 home defeat by Club Brugge, their second successive loss in Europe. Cristian Chivu accepted responsibility for a side he believes has lost its balance, with defensive disorder and a failure to manage key moments again proving costly.
How Inter lost control
- Inter and Club Brugge produced an intense, open first half, with both teams creating problems and playing at a high tempo.
- Brugge struck on the counter from an Inter corner, exposing poor organisation during the transition. Chivu felt several unfavourable incidents could nevertheless have been handled more effectively by his players.
- Inter recovered before half-time to level the score and entered the interval still firmly in the contest.
- Chivu’s team began the second period positively and had two significant chances, but their composure soon disappeared as the match turned against them.
- Once Brugge moved 2-1 ahead, Inter abandoned the clarity of their intended game plan. They pushed forward without sufficient cover, repeatedly arrived late in defensive phases and were punished by a clinical visiting attack.
- The match ended 4-3 to Brugge, leaving Inter with consecutive continental defeats and fresh concerns over their ability to defend transitions.
Chivu accepts responsibility
Chivu said the central problem was a lack of equilibrium within the squad and placed himself first in line for blame. “We know there is something not right in the Champions League, something we are carrying with us,” he said. “I am the first person responsible because I have not been able to find the proper balance.”
The Inter coach praised Brugge’s technical level, intensity and determination, acknowledging that the Belgian side made life extremely difficult. But he was particularly frustrated by his own team’s response after falling behind for a second time.
“At 2-1, everything stopped functioning,” Chivu said. “We did not have the calm to stick to the plan. There must also be credit for Brugge, because their quality, energy and determination caused us many problems.”
Work required in the remaining fixtures
Inter still have six group-stage matches to play, leaving time to repair their European campaign, but the latest home loss has reduced their room for further mistakes.
Chivu believes the solution must address both tactical structure and the players’ mentality. He suggested that his half-time message may not have brought enough calm, while insisting the squad cannot allow setbacks to destroy its belief.
“There is much to improve tactically and mentally,” Chivu said. “We have to find the right attitude. Maybe the preparation could have been better, and perhaps I should have given them more serenity at half-time rather than placing too much weight on them. We need to improve without losing confidence, and we must read certain moments in matches better.”
