Christian Kivu, Inter's technical director, affirmed his team's commitment to their usual style, ahead of the anticipated confrontation with Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, in the opening of their Champions League league stage campaign, stressing the importance of showing courage and a strong personality at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Kivu said during the pre-match press conference that facing Real Madrid at home is a great challenge for any team, indicating that Inter does not think about abandoning its identity, and added: "We realize that playing here is not easy for any team, and it has been 60 years since Inter's last win at this stadium. We do not want to change our identity, but rather we want to show courage, personality, and the desire to compete and dominate."
The Inter coach explained that dealing with Real Madrid is not tied to a specific plan, given that the Spanish team has players capable of making a difference in various circumstances, saying: "There is no perfect way to face Real Madrid, because they have players capable of making a difference regardless of the game plan."
Kivu touched upon Inter's goals in the Champions League this season, emphasizing that the team deserved to reach this stage, and that the tournament requires dealing with many challenges, along with the need for luck in some situations.
He added: "We have clear ideas, and we have earned our place here. The Champions League is a tough tournament, and it requires some luck and overcoming difficult moments. We just want to be competitors and maintain the level required by the tournament, as well as the level shown by the club in recent years."
Kivu praised the levels shown by Real Madrid since the beginning of the season, emphasizing that the team did not deserve the loss it suffered in its last match, and also praised the experience of its coach José Mourinho and the capabilities of its players.
He said: "They have started the league well, and they did not deserve to lose their last match. Real Madrid has history and tradition, and a coach who knows what to do, along with top-level players."
Kivu spoke specifically about his relationship with Mourinho, expressing his gratitude for the role the Portuguese coach played in his career, and said: "José is a special person to me, and he gave me great support during a difficult time in my life, and I will not forget that."
The Inter coach concluded his remarks by praising Mourinho, emphasizing that he possesses a winning mentality that distinguishes him from others, and added: "He is undoubtedly a winner, and it is very rare to find people like him in the world. I am convinced that Real Madrid will have a great season."