Chivu: Inter still in Champions League race vs Feyenoord

Inter coach Cristian Chivu says his team remain in the Champions League hunt and expects a strong reaction when they face Feyenoord at De Kuip in Rotterdam on Tuesday. For Dutch supporters, this is a chance to see Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Feyenoord test an Italian side that has stumbled on two fronts.

For Inter, the match could decide whether their European campaign gets back on track. Inter arrive in Rotterdam under pressure Inter lost 3-1 to Milan on Saturday, their first defeat in the league this season.

In the Champions League they have collected three points from three matches, thanks to a late win over Shakhtar Donetsk, and have lost to Real Madrid and Club Brugge. Chivu admitted there have been negative moments and errors that the squad must learn from, accept and leave behind.

"I believe in the work, in what this team is and what it has done so far." Chivu's target: 16 points for a top-eight place The coach estimates that about 16 points will be enough for a top-eight finish, which would send Inter straight into the round of 16. He argues that the competition, like the league, has to be taken one match at a time.

With one win and two defeats so far, Inter have work to do. Chivu insists the numbers still leave room to recover, and he says he is convinced the team will produce a great game in Rotterdam.

Feyenoord's strengths and Inter's squad news Chivu expects a hard evening against Van Bronckhorst's side, who have already beaten Como at home in this season's competition. He singled out the home atmosphere and the attacking quality he will have to contain.

They have intensity, quality and a lot of players like Moussa and Zequiel.

He described those two as quality players who operate as inverted wingers.

Even so, he said Inter must show their own strengths to make life difficult for Feyenoord. On the injury front, there is some relief for the visitors.

Provedel and Pavard are available again, and Chivu said the squad has had no new problems in recent days.