Chivu: Inter have 'an obligation to think big' after Champions League near misses

Cristian Chivu urged his Inter players not to underestimate the test of Union Saint-Gilloise, but insisted his team "have an obligation to think big" in the Champions League.

Inter travel to Lotto Park on Tuesday in the first of two huge games this week, with a top-of-the-table clash with Napoli in Serie A awaiting them this weekend. 

After suffering back-to-back league losses to Udinese and Juventus at the start of the season, the Nerazzurri have responded by winning six consecutive games in all competitions.

Two of those victories have come in the Champions League, beating Ajax and Slavia Prague to propel themselves to fourth in the early league-phase standings.

They have won both of those matches without conceding a goal, though they have never previously won and recorded a shutout in their first three games of a single European Cup/Champions League campaign.  

And after reaching two Champions League finals in three seasons, both of which ended in defeat, Chivu believed there was reason for optimism this time around. 

"We've always said it, we have an obligation to think big," Chivu told reporters on Monday.

"It's a long road, but we have a club that supports us, and we have to be the best version of ourselves in all competitions.

"We have to maintain the enthusiasm and avoid any missteps. We’ve put in good performances, and we have the ambition to move forwards.

"There could also be some negative moments."

Inter are handed a 5% chance of winning their first European crown since 2009-10, the ninth-highest probability according to the Opta supercomputer. 

But their hopes of maintaining their perfect record in the Champions League this season have taken a hit, with striker Marcus Thuram ruled out of the clash in Belgium. 

Thuram has netted five goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season, with his absence offering the chance for Ange-Yoan Bonny or Francesco Pio Esposito to shine. 

When asked who he would start out of the two," Chivu said: "For me, there are no starters. I've been saying it for months.

"I trust all the players I have available, everyone can play from the start.

"I'm happy to have such a strong group at my disposal. Everyone can make a contribution to our games and to our journey."

A welcome boost for Chivu is that Lautaro Martinez is available for selection after being withdrawn just after the hour of their 1-0 win over Roma at the weekend. 

Martinez is the joint-top scorer in the UEFA Champions League in 2025, scoring 10 goals in nine appearances (level with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe).

He has netted 48% of his shots in the competition in this period (10/21), which is the highest shot conversion rate of any player to attempt 10+ shots since the start of the year.

Martinez (59) could also move into joint-third for most European Cup/UEFA Champions League appearances by an Inter player, equalling Ivan Cordoba (60). 

Only fellow Argentineans – Javier Zanetti (97) and Esteban Cambiasso (62) – have made more than 60 outings for the club across the two competitions.

"Lautaro is fine, and has not had any more problems than the ones he had before Roma," Chivu added. 

"He's got over his cold and has had a good recovery. 

"Marcus needs a few more days. I don't know what to tell you. We are trying to get him back as soon as possible. Apparently he won't be there for Napoli."