Chivu Urges Inter to Pursue Champions League Success Against Brugge

Inter Milan are targeting a European turnaround against Club Brugge at San Siro after losing their opening 2026-27 UEFA Champions League match to Real Madrid. Coach Cristian Chivu wants his team to improve its performances, while defender Manuel Akanji emphasized the importance of securing victory and midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic emerged as a potential starter against his former club on October 13.

According to beIN Sports, Inter lost 2-1 to Real Madrid despite recording 64.4% possession. The team conceded nine big chances, its highest total in a Champions League match since records began in 2010-11, extending its European losing streak to three games after defeats to Bodo/Glimt in last season's playoff round.

Inter have never lost four consecutive matches in European Cup or Champions League history. Club Brugge also entered the fixture after a difficult opening match, losing 3-2 to Aston Villa.

Chivu, who started the 2009-10 Champions League final when Inter defeated Bayern Munich under Jose Mourinho, said the club's ambitions require sustained effort rather than financial resources alone.

"The status of this club requires you to try and achieve every goal," said Chivu.

The Inter coach explained that pursuing European glory remains part of the club's responsibilities, even without guarantees of winning the competition.

"When it comes to dreams, you don't necessarily have to achieve it, but you have to make a good job of it.

"Talking about dreams doesn't mean that we're talking about winning the whole thing, but it is part of our responsibility to try and achieve a goal like that.

"Money can't buy you the Champions League. There are no players or coaches who give you that guarantee. You need to have the courage, but the work you put in is the most important thing."

Chivu also warned against underestimating the Belgian visitors, emphasizing the importance of discipline, ambition and continued development within the squad.

"We don't underestimate anyone," added Chivu.

He said Inter intended to maintain their competitive approach while improving their performances and benefiting from competition among players during training.

"We have a level of maturity and always go onto the pitch with a sense of responsibility and with the right attitude, a desire to dominate. At the same time, we also want to have fun.

"We have room for improvement, that's our ambition. We can do certain things better and we will try to do them better.

"The group is of a high level, we have competition and that raises the level of training and the level of our ambitions."

Akanji, speaking at Inter's training center before the match, highlighted the importance of a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase, which would secure direct qualification for the knockout stage. However, he rejected the idea that the Brugge fixture represented a must-win situation.

"I spoke to him two days ago. For 90 minutes tomorrow, we won't be friends, but that's how football works," Akanji stated, referring to his recent conversation with Club Brugge goalkeeper Yann Sommer, his former Inter teammate.

Akanji said their friendship would resume after the match, but his immediate priority was helping Inter secure three points in front of their supporters.

"Yann remains a good friend, but tomorrow the only thing that matters for us will be winning the match."

The Swiss defender also pointed to Inter's domestic form as evidence of the team's progress, noting that their only defeat of the season had come against Real Madrid.

"I think we feel good as a team. In the league, we've only drawn one game and won the others. Our only defeat of the season was against Real Madrid."

Inter's rotation policy has also helped maintain competition for places. Akanji said players who featured against Parma performed well, while squad depth allowed the coaching staff to manage workloads across competitions.

"We made some changes and rotations over the weekend, but those who played did very well, and we brought home the win," Akanji explained.

He stressed that maintaining the entire squad's readiness was essential to sustaining performance levels throughout the season.

"It's important that everyone is in top form so that everyone can contribute."

Akanji also dismissed any suggestion that his previous club, Manchester City, was distracting him from his responsibilities at Inter.

"I'm in touch with my friends at City, but my focus is entirely on Inter, the games we have to play, and our goals."

Although projections suggested 16 points could be enough to finish in the league phase's top eight, Akanji said Inter still had six matches remaining and would approach the Brugge game without treating it as a final opportunity.

"I don't want to approach the match like that," Akanji concluded.

"We have six more games in the group, so I can't say it's a do-or-die game, but we want to win in front of our fans."

Meanwhile, Inter could make several changes to their starting lineup after the victory over Parma, according to a preview from Gazzetta dello Sport reported by FcInterNews. The reports differed on whether five or six players would be replaced, and the official lineup had not been confirmed.

Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni were expected to return after being rested against Parma, potentially moving Yann Bisseck to the right of the back three. Stankovic could make his first start for Inter in midfield as the holding playmaker, alongside Nicolò Barella and Piotr Zielinski. Goal and Sports Mole also included him in their projected lineups.

Lautaro Martinez was another potential returning starter. According to FcInterNews, the Inter captain was seeking his first European goal in 11 months, while goalkeeper Josep Martinez was expected to retain his place, potentially extending Ivan Provedel's wait for an official Inter debut.

Club Brugge also brought attacking talent into the contest through Nicolo Tresoldi, whom Sommer praised in comments to Gazzetta dello Sport. The 22-year-old striker, who captains Germany's under-21 team, had scored 16 goals in 27 appearances and attracted interest from both German and Italian football authorities over his international future.

Sommer declined to speculate about which senior national team Tresoldi would represent, emphasizing that the decision belonged to the player.

"Don't ask me which national team he will choose; that is up to him," Sommer told Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Swiss goalkeeper praised Tresoldi's potential following his move from Hannover 96 to Club Brugge for €7.5 million in 2025. Tresoldi helped Brugge win the Jupiler Pro League title in his first season and had scored six goals in 10 competitive appearances this season, including against Aston Villa in the Champions League.

"Tresoldi can, without any doubt, become a top European striker."

Sommer also described the forward as humble and professional, expressing confidence in his ability to compete at a major club. Tresoldi's contract with Club Brugge runs until 2029, while Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid have been linked with the striker.