Chivu: Mourinho is a special person I was lucky to meet in my life

Cristian Chivu says José Mourinho gave him important help during a difficult period in his life, something the Inter Milan coach says he will never forget.

“Mourinho is a special person I was lucky to meet in my life,” Chivu said at a news conference before Inter’s Champions League match against Real Madrid. Mourinho coached Chivu for two seasons, from 2008 to 2010, and will now face him from the Real Madrid bench.

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Mourinho is a special person I was lucky to meet in my life, who gave me important help during a difficult period in my life. I will never forget that.

Chivu praised Mourinho’s ability to understand the reality of the teams he represents and communicate his mentality. “He is a winner who knows how to convey things at the right moment,” Chivu said, adding that Mourinho had won wherever he had worked and that he expected Real Madrid to have a strong season.

Asked whether Mourinho inspired his own coaching career, Chivu rejected the idea that he had copied anyone. “I have my own idea of football, built during my years as a player and coach,” he said.

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He is a winner who knows how to convey things at the right moment. Few people know how to do that like him.

Chivu described Real Madrid’s start under Mourinho as balanced, saying its latest defeat was undeserved because the team had played well. He also noted that Inter had not won at the Bernabéu for 60 years. The club wants to prove it is competitive, although Chivu said there is no perfect way to face Real Madrid because its players can make the difference regardless of the plan.

The match follows Inter’s comeback against Napoli. Chivu said he would have preferred one more day of rest after that difficult game, but added that the schedule left no choice. Mourinho and Chivu were together when Inter won the 2010 Champions League at the Bernabéu.

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I have never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, built during my years as a player and coach.