Inter coach Cristian Chivu has taken responsibility for his side’s defensive problems after their 4-3 Champions League defeat by Club Brugge and confirmed Lautaro Martinez is expected to return after the November international break.
Martinez scored twice against Club Brugge but suffered an injury during the match and is expected to be unavailable for about one month, meaning he will miss the Milan derby later this month.
“I’m not a doctor. I’ve been told that this is the recovery time. We are talking about him returning after the break,” Chivu said.
Inter return to Serie A action away to Bologna four days after the European defeat, with Chivu acknowledging the challenge posed by Raffaele Palladino’s side.
“Raffaele Palladino has been at the club for a month; he’s changed the formation and given the team an identity based on vertical play and intensity,” he said.
“They are well organised with plenty of energy. If you don’t win individual battles, you can find yourself in trouble.”
Chivu said Inter had performed well for much of the game against Club Brugge before losing control in the final 30 minutes.
“We accept our responsibilities. Something didn’t work in the final 30 minutes, but we mustn’t lose sight of what we did well in the first hour, up until we went 2–1 ahead,” he said.
“We created a lot and entered the second half with the right attitude, producing two major chances. Then everything collapsed after the second goal. We need to analyse it as two matches within one and react as quickly as possible.”
Inter have conceded eight goals in six Serie A matches and six in two Champions League games. Chivu said responsibility for improving the team’s defensive solidity starts with him.
“It has to begin with me. I’m the one primarily responsible,” he said.
“This is a group of fantastic players; we just need to find unity and reconnect with the different moments of a match without allowing adversity to bring us down.”
Chivu also defended the principle of pressing, despite admitting Inter’s execution had been poor.
“The problem arose when we pressed incorrectly, and from that perspective, I take responsibility,” he said. “It would be easier to abandon the press, but we need to improve our cohesion and communication on the pitch.”
He added that Inter should not overreact to the defeat, despite the high expectations surrounding the team.
“We must not turn it into a drama, even if it hurts,” Chivu said. “We lost our confidence and became confused. We reacted emotionally instead of staying organised.”
Ange-Yoan Bonny could receive more opportunities in Martinez’s absence, although Chivu said the striker’s chance to start would come in due course.
“He’s always shown his quality when he has come on,” Chivu said. “We have a great striker at our disposal.”
Josep Martinez has also faced criticism after the defeat, while Chivu confirmed Ivan Provedel remains under consideration.
“Provedel has my respect and trust. I consider him a goalkeeper who will help us significantly,” he said.
