Chivu defends Martinez after Inter's Champions League win over Shakhtar

Inter Milan secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the third round of the UEFA Champions League, halting a difficult period in which they had lost seven of their previous eight matches in the competition. The match was decided by a goal from Carlos Augusto in the 77th minute, which came shortly after the team was reduced to ten men following Alessandro Bastoni's second yellow card in the 68th minute.

Following the match, interim coach Cristi Chivu highlighted the significant contribution of goalkeeper Josep Martinez, who made two important saves during the game. Chivu addressed the recent criticism directed at the Spanish keeper, stating that Martinez played a key role in securing the win despite the numerical disadvantage and pressure from the opposition.

When questioned about Martinez's position as the starting goalkeeper, with some fans preferring Ivan Provedel, Chivu expressed confusion over the implication that Martinez's tenure was temporary. He asserted that Martinez remains the first-choice goalkeeper for Inter, noting that it is his first season assuming these specific responsibilities. Chivu clarified that while Provedel would certainly feature in future matches, Martinez is currently the established number one.

Statistics show that Martinez has appeared in ten matches for Inter this season, spanning both Serie A and the Champions League. During this period, he has conceded 15 goals and managed to keep three clean sheets. The victory was deemed essential by the coaching staff after two previous defeats in the European campaign.

Media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb awarded Chivu a rating of 6 for his management of the match. The publication noted that while the team's performance during the middle hour of the game was concerning, the result was the primary objective. The report acknowledged that Bastoni's dismissal complicated matters but praised the team's character in securing the three points.