Inter Milan Manager Refuses To Drop Swiss Veteran After Horror Show Vs Juventus: 'He Will Play'

Asked whether he considers dropping Yann Sommer from the starting line-up, Chivu replied: “I’ve never talked about it.

“And I don’t think it’s right to throw stones at Sommer. He’s an important player; he showed that last year, and from a human standpoint, I don’t think it would be fair.

“I have great respect for Pepo Martinez, and everyone knows that he’ll have his chances.

“But today I don’t feel like changing Sommer just because the fans are asking for it.

“Not to be contrary, but because a player in difficulty needs to be helped. With his experience, he knows what he can give to the team.”

Meanwhile, he also admitted Lautaro Martinez could be ready for the game.

“Today he didn’t train due to a small problem; we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Chivu stated.

Familiar Ground

Chivu spent four years at Ajax before moving to Serie A in 2003 to join Roma.

Moreover, the former defender has fond memories of his stint in Amsterdam.

Despite his memorable spell in the Dutch capital, Chivu prefers to think about the present.

“I’d rather talk about the Champions League match. For me, this team is strong, and they also showed it in Turin.

“If we only look at the result, criticism is easy – it’s a habit and normal in Italy, especially in the Derby d’Italia.

“However, we also need to look at the positives and the good things done, like the attempt to control the game, to build on the matches against Torino and Udinese.

“For me, this team is very close to finding continuity in all the good things we want to do -just a little more is needed to give morale to a group that is working hard and doing everything to get out of this situation.

“It’s only a matter of results, not performances.

“I want to focus on tomorrow – if we look too far ahead, we’re going too far.

“Ajax are a strong team, young, mixing experience and youth, technical quality, well-coached, and with speed.

“You have to be ready for a match like this because the first game in the Champions League is always important.

“The culture is different. It’s not easy to change it in Italy, but the way of training in Italy is excellent.

“I try to create a perfect blend between Italian and Dutch approaches.”

Decision to Leave Ajax

Then, he explained why he left Amsterdam over two decades ago.

“No, it was my decision, for my career.

“I said that I lived four important years here. I came as a boy and left as a grown man. I always tried to give my best for this club and this country.

“Ajax is always in my mind and in my heart.

“Ajax gave me the foundations as a person before as a player, and I want to thank this country from a human point of view.”

Relationship with Heitinga & Koeman

Chivu also shared the dressing room with current Ajax manager John Heitinga.

“I have good memories of him,” Chivu confirmed. “And I saw him again last year, we spoke, it was a friendly meeting.

“I remember him as a 17-year-old, and I tried to help him since I had more experience than he did.

“As his captain, I tried to help him improve, and he proved himself by also playing for the national team.”

Finally, he has not heard from legendary Dutch coach Ronald Koeman.

“I haven’t heard from him in a while, but I know the quality this Ajax side has,” Chivu stated.

“I know the project and what the club has been trying to do in recent years, their ambitions. I know how they approach a team like Inter.

“I heard earlier that people are talking about Ajax as the underdog, but it’s a great international club.

“In recent years, they haven’t been at their best, but not long ago, for example, under Ten Hag, they were close to a Champions League final and reached a Europa League final.

“They must not play the victim. I know how difficult it is to play for this club, and I know what Ajax can bring to the field.

“It will be a tough match, and we must be prepared both mentally and physically.

“It’s the first game of the Champions League, and it’s being played in this stadium.”