The Nerazzurri coach after the elimination from the World Cup against Fluminense: “Less Brilliant Than Them, But Toro is Right, Everyone Must Row in the Same Direction”
The defeat is significant. Not only for being eliminated from the Club World Cup in the round of 16 by a team theoretically much weaker, but also because of Lautaro Martinez`s statements that have caused and will continue to cause discussion. Cristian Chivu also addresses this topic immediately after the match lost against Fluminense. Regarding “Toro”`s message, Chivu stated: “I also said that everyone needs to row on the same side, be in the same boat. Lautaro perhaps was more direct… We are winners; sometimes competitiveness brings out this pride, but we must move in the same direction. This applies to all teams, especially one like ours that wants to redeem a difficult season and is ambitiously preparing for the future.” However, it was clear that Inter showed less than the Brazilians. “Yes, we were presumptuous,” Chivu acknowledged. “We showed less freshness, less brilliance, an approach that wasn`t good or like a team wanting to give everything, and we suffered from Fluminense`s intensity and pressure. We could have been more pragmatic instead of just trying to play attractively.”
The Nerazzurri coach then continued his analysis of the game: “The energy levels were also evident, but we kept trying until the end. We were also unlucky: Lautaro`s shot hit the inside of the post, De Vrij had a clear opportunity, they conceded 3 shots on goal and scored 2… I take solace in these 3 weeks where we got to know the group, understood their strengths, weaknesses, resilience, character, and pride despite a difficult season. They truly scraped the bottom of the barrel. I always try to see the glass half full, because focusing on the negatives only leads to headaches.”
