D’Ambrosio backs Chivu and Inter’s European ambitions

Inter’s Champions League campaign has got off to a difficult start, but Danilo D’Ambrosio believes those setbacks should not diminish their ambitions. In an interview with Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport, the former defender credits Inter with retaining their mentality through changes of coach: the foundation on which to build against Shakhtar, with the team still without a point and targeting direct qualification for the last 16.

Danilo D’Ambrosio, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport «Inter are not there just to make up the numbers, whatever happens. They have the ambitions of a big club».

His faith in the coach also stems from watching him work with the Primavera youth team. D’Ambrosio considers that experience important to Chivu’s communication with his players and admires his preparation and attention to detail. As for the risks of an aggressive approach, he believes the coach and squad must work together to find the right balance, drawing on defenders comfortable in one-on-one situations.

«And I like the way he communicates: he speaks like a winner and has personality. Even the top players can sense it».

His own previous encounter with Shakhtar was the 5-0 win in the 2020 Europa League semi-final, when Lautaro and Lukaku each scored twice and he also found the net. D’Ambrosio considers it the most important goal of his career and sees those days spent together throughout the behind-closed-doors tournament as the starting point for Inter’s subsequent progress in Europe. He also recalls their Champions League elimination the following season, however: in his view, Shakhtar’s organisation and the quality of their Brazilian players remain reasons to stay alert.

In defending the squad, he points to Bastoni, praising his response to criticism and describing him as an asset to both club and country, and Barella, whose leadership by example he highlights. D’Ambrosio now works in Inter’s youth set-up, supporting players up to Primavera level alongside the education team: a role to which he brings the experience of nine seasons at Inter, from 2014 to 2023.

In attack, Lautaro’s absence deprives Inter of a driving force, but the former Inter defender urges them to look beyond Pio and Thuram too. The player he singles out is Bonny, following his impact at Bologna: another option to call upon as they seek their first European points.