Sports | Dortmund Coach Praises Inter Milan's Improvement Under Cristian Chivu Ahead of Champions League Clash
By Newzvia
Quick Summary
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac acknowledged Inter Milan's significant improvement under Romanian manager Cristian Chivu ahead of their Champions League match. Despite fielding a depleted squad due to injuries and suspension, Dortmund faced an Inter side seeking to secure direct qualification to the Round of 16. Inter ultimately secured a decisive 2-0 victory at the Westfalenstadion, with Chivu crediting the team's maturity, humility, and tactical discipline for the impressive away performance.
Dortmund Coach Acknowledges Inter Milan's Enhanced Performance Under Chivu
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac expressed respect for Inter Milan's tactical improvements under manager Cristian Chivu ahead of their Champions League fixture. Kovac noted that Inter has become a stronger side under the Romanian coach's leadership, representing a formidable challenge for the German club.
Dortmund's Injury Crisis Compounds Challenge
Dortmund faced significant obstacles heading into the match, with Kovac confirming the absence of key defenders Niklas Suele and Marcel Sabitzer due to injuries. Midfielder Daniel Svensson was also unavailable following suspension, leaving the club with limited squad depth.
Positioned in 16th place with 11 points, Dortmund still harbored qualification hopes for the Round of 16, requiring a victory combined with favorable results elsewhere. However, Inter Milan held a one-point advantage in 14th place with superior prospects for securing a top-eight finish.
Inter's Dominant Away Performance
The Nerazzurri delivered a commanding 2-0 victory at the Westfalenstadion, with Federico Dimarco opening the scoring from a free kick and Andy Diouf adding a stoppage-time goal. The result capped Inter's league phase campaign in 10th place, just outside automatic qualification, necessitating playoff participation.
Chivu Emphasizes Team Maturity and Tactical Discipline
Following the victory, Chivu highlighted the psychological and tactical evolution his squad has demonstrated. He emphasized that humility and hard work remain fundamental to the team's approach, enabling them to compete effectively against elite European opponents.
Chivu noted significant differences in Inter's playing philosophy across competitions: "Inter dominates and is offensive in the Italian league, but in the Champions League, we are more humble and ready to work on counterattacks." This tactical flexibility proved instrumental in the away victory against Dortmund's home advantage.
Individual Performances and Player Development
The Inter manager praised several standout performers, particularly highlighting Dimarco's evolution as a player. Once limited to substitute roles under previous management, Dimarco has flourished with increased playing time, developing into a decisive and mature contributor.
Chivu also commended Yann Sommer's goalkeeping, Luis Henrique's contributions, and Diouf's professionalism, noting the forward's understanding of Inter's demanding expectations and competitive mentality.
Building Momentum Under New Leadership
Since Chivu's appointment following Simone Inzaghi's departure, Inter has maintained top position in Serie A with a four-point lead over AC Milan. The club's tactical reorientation has proven effective, with all four attacking players now functioning as genuine starters rather than hierarchical options.
The 2-0 Champions League victory provided what Chivu described as "a real confidence boost" for the team, concluding the league phase on a positive trajectory despite earlier setbacks. The manager stressed the importance of remaining focused on immediate objectives, including domestic fixtures against Cremonese, while maintaining the mental and physical standards required for European competition.