Cristian Chivu admits Inter’s dismal record in big games ‘weighed’ on them in a hard-fought 3-2 win over Juventus, but denied Alessandro Bastoni dived to get Pierre Kalulu sent off.

The Nerazzurri had failed to beat any of the other big clubs so far this season, but even here they were forced to wait until the 90th minute to finally break 10-man Juve down.

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Andrea Cambiaso bizarrely scored at both ends for 1-1 before the controversial Pierre Kalulu red card, then Francesco Pio Esposito’s header was cancelled out by Manuel Locatelli.

It was eventually decided by a Piotr Zielinski shot that wrong-footed Michele Di Gregorio when going through Locatelli’s legs for the 3-2 result.

Chivu balances criticism and praise of Inter

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: FC Internazionale Milano players celebrate their team’s first goal which was an own goal scored by Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus (not pictured) during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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“We wanted to focus on the performance more than the result this season, but as you’ve been reminding me constantly, Inter had not beaten a big club in Serie A for two years, so the lads felt that pressure,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“With heart and character, we did what we needed to in order to bring home the victory. I will take the determination and the desire to always damage a team that has been causing problems for every opponent since Luciano Spalletti arrived. They are an impressive team, both collectively and individually.”

Juventus were so angry over the “unacceptable and embarrassing” refereeing with regards to that Kalulu red card that Spalletti refused to speak to the media, instead sending directors Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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Chivu famously tries to avoid discussing the refereeing in any situation, but this was a very difficult incident to ignore.

“I think it is a light touch, but it’s still a touch. When I dealt with similar situations in the Champions League, I told my players not to put themselves in a situation where they force the referee to make the call,” noted the coach.

He was of course referring to the incredibly soft and decisive penalty awarded to Liverpool in their victory over Inter.

“Even if it’s light, and we have to admit it is a light touch, my player still felt the touch and was running at full speed. Kalulu is an experienced player and he ought to know that in these situations, you keep your hands to yourself.”

CREMONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Coach Cristian Chivu of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giovanni Zini on February 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)

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Chivu evidently knew that Bastoni was at risk, because the defender was already on a yellow card and arguably was just as likely to get sent off for simulation in that move as Kalulu was for the challenge, so he substituted the Italian at half-time.

“I changed Bastoni because I was afraid of Conceicao, but seeing as Conceicao then was substituted, I would’ve left him on,” insisted the Inter boss.

The Romanian was a defender, so how would he have honestly reacted if that red card had been given against him on the field?

“If I am on a yellow card, I don’t put my hands on an opponent, especially on a counter-attack when I am anticipated by the opponent,” insisted Chivu.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale Milano shoots and hits the post during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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Inter were at the top of the Serie A table despite not managing to win a single head-to-head battle, and the coach fully admits this statistic affected them psychologically.

“I hope that tonight’s game is the turning point for the mental and even physical block that this team has. I didn’t like the performance, we didn’t have the legs or sharpness to do what we had prepared or play our football.

“At the end of the day, I will take the victory, and was trying to tell them that they won in Dortmund. You sensed tonight the anxiety of a side that hadn’t been able to win a big game for two years, it was weighing on them,” confessed Chivu.

“We must also give credit to Juventus, who caused us problems with their movement, their quality, and the style of football proposed by Spalletti. They are in good shape, and even down to 10 men managed to equalise. When we were 2-1 up, we should’ve controlled the situation better, the fear set in, but I am glad we pushed to the end for the victory and won it with a great Zielinski goal.”