Cristian Chivu believes "money can't buy you the Champions League" and has urged his Inter side to work hard for European success.

Inter have not won the competition since 2009-10, when Chivu started the final against Bayern Munich during Jose Mourinho's tenure.

The Nerazzurri started their 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid; despite dominating the possession battle (64.4%), Inter conceded nine big chances against Madrid  – their most in a Champions League game on record (since 2010-11).

Ahead of hosting Club Brugge on matchday two, Chivu outlined what his Inter side must do to end their wait for Champions League glory.

"The status of this club requires you to try and achieve every goal," said Chivu.

"When it comes to dreams, you don't necessarily have to achieve it, but you have to make a good job of it.

"Talking about dreams doesn't mean that we're talking about winning the whole thing, but it is part of our responsibility to try and achieve a goal like that.

"Money can't buy you the Champions League. There are no players or coaches who give you that guarantee. You need to have the courage, but the work you put in is the most important thing."

This will be the first meeting between Inter and Club Brugge, who lost 3-2 to Aston Villa in their Champions League opener.

Inter come into this fixture on a three-game losing streak in the Champions League, having lost both legs against Bodo/Glimt in last season’s play-off round and this season’s opener at Madrid.

Inter have never lost four consecutive matches in their European Cup/Champions League history, and Chivu refused to underestimate Brugge's threat.

"We don't underestimate anyone," added Chivu. "We have a level of maturity and always go onto the pitch with a sense of responsibility and with the right attitude, a desire to dominate. At the same time, we also want to have fun. 

"We have room for improvement, that's our ambition. We can do certain things better and we will try to do them better.

"The group is of a high level, we have competition and that raises the level of training and the level of our ambitions."