Inter coach Chivu: ‘We want to make history’ ahead of Real Madrid showdown

Cristian Chivu insists Inter are determined to "write important pages in the history" of the club as they prepare to begin their Champions League campaign against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Nerazzurri face one of the toughest possible opening nights in Europe, returning to the stadium where José Mourinho guided them to one of the most memorable victories in their history in 2010.

This time, Mourinho will be in the opposite dugout, having recently returned to Real Madrid, while Chivu will lead Inter into his second Champions League campaign as the club's head coach.

Chivu was part of Mourinho's treble-winning Inter side and retains a strong personal connection with the Portuguese coach, but insists his own football philosophy has developed independently.

"We have an obligation to write important pages in the history of this club," Chivu told reporters at his pre-match press conference, with quotes via FCInter1908 .

"In recent years, this club has reached important standards, and we have to write other pages of its history.

"My emotions in this stadium? It has become even more beautiful. Today it is even more modern and it is a pleasure for everyone to have the opportunity to play a match in this stadium.

"Mourinho is a special person for me. Meeting him was a stroke of luck. He helped me during the most difficult moment of my life, and I will never forget that."

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 23: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and FC Internazionale at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on May 23, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Despite his close relationship with Mourinho, Chivu rejected the suggestion that the former Real Madrid coach has directly shaped his tactical philosophy.

"I have never copied anyone," he explained. "I have my own idea of football, built as a player and during my years in the youth sector, where I had the opportunity to experiment with things that are helping me these years."

Inter will face a formidable challenge in Madrid, with the Nerazzurri having failed to win at the Bernabéu for six decades. Chivu accepts the difficulty of the occasion but does not want his team to abandon its principles.

"Playing at the Bernabéu is never easy for anyone. It has been 60 years since Inter won here," he said.

"Many teams have struggled to win here. We will do our best, but without changing who we are. We want to be dominant, we want to show that we have grown, and there is no perfect way to approach Real Madrid."

The coach was also asked whether new arrivals such as Jones and Stones could be handed starting roles, but stressed that the entire squad will have a part to play.

"It is not important who starts, but the 16 players who have the opportunity to contribute to the match," Chivu said. "What happened in the first three league games is evidence of that.

"Tomorrow you will see my choices and the ones I make."

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale looks on before the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Chivu discusses the Champions League schedule

Inter's preparation has been complicated by the short turnaround following Saturday's Serie A fixture , leaving Chivu wishing his players had been given more recovery time.

"I would perhaps have chosen one more day of rest after such an exhausting and beautiful match as Saturday evening," he admitted. "But this is the schedule and we have to get used to it."

The Nerazzurri have plenty of recent Champions League experience, having reached the latter stages in recent campaigns, but Chivu knows there is little room for complacency under the competition's current format.

"In the last two editions, we all understood the points needed to have the possibility of finishing in the top eight," he said.

"We also understood what it means not to qualify. The playoffs are tricky games; a victory in the Champions League is never guaranteed."

Asked about Mourinho's observation that it is surprising Inter have not won the Champions League in recent years, Chivu responded: "The question to ask him is whether he wanted Inter to win.

"We have gone far thanks to the competence of the directors and the ability of the players, who for the last eight years have shown important things.

"With ideas and work, through merit and ability, we are in a situation where many people think we can do it.

"The Champions League is cruel. Even those who win it have to overcome certain moments and need a little luck. We simply want to be competitive, to be up to the competition and to what the club has achieved in recent years."

SEVILLE, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 04: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid talks to his players during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Betis Balompie and Real Madrid at Estadio La Cartuja on September 04, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Chivu also played down comparisons between his current side and the Inter team that conquered Europe under Mourinho.

"I never compare different teams or different periods," he said. "This team is trying to achieve things and has already done beautiful things.

"It is a group of great players who themselves want to write pages of history. They have played in two finals and lost them, but reaching two finals is never easy.

"Every team lives in its own time. Comparisons are not right to make, but we want to write important pages."

Chivu was also asked about the points requirement for Inter to secure a place in the Champions League's top eight.

"Sixteen points are needed, 15 are not enough," he said. "We have to do our best. We must not become obsessed with getting points in particular matches."

KLAGENFURT, AUSTRIA – AUGUST 01: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid, speaks with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid during the pre-season friendly match between Real Madrid and Fiorentina at Woerthersee Stadion on August 01, 2026 in Klagenfurt, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

Chivu backs Mourinho for Real Madrid success

The Inter coach believes Mourinho's Real Madrid have made a reasonable start to the campaign despite losing their most recent match.

"The start of a season is never simple, and it is still early," Chivu explained. "There are players who still have to get used to what it means to play for Real Madrid, which is never simple.

"The start has been balanced. They lost their last match but undeservedly. They have an important coach who knows how certain things need to be done and players of the highest level."

Chivu was then asked what he learned from Mourinho during their time together at Inter.

"He is very good at immediately adapting to the reality he represents and transmitting his ideas and mentality," Chivu said.

"He is a winner, without a shadow of a doubt. He knows how to transmit certain things at certain moments. Few are like him.

"He has shown everywhere what it means to be a winner. He has won everywhere. I am sure Real Madrid will have a great season."

For Chivu, however, Tuesday's meeting is ultimately about the present rather than nostalgia for Inter's historic triumph in 2010. The Nerazzurri head to Madrid looking to demonstrate how far they have progressed and begin another European campaign with ambitions of creating more history of their own.