Inter Milan’s manager Cristian Chivu made a bold move by substituting Luis Henrique during the first half of Friday’s convincing 6-2 victory at home against Pisa.
In an interview with Sky Sport, Beppe Bergomi defended the 45-year-old manager’s decision to replace the struggling winger before halftime, as reported by FCInter1908.
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Given the circumstances, Chivu’s actions were understandable; the team’s performance was alarming after just 25 minutes of play.
Alberto Gilardino’s squad surprisingly took a two-goal lead at San Siro within the first 23 minutes, putting the Nerazzurri on the back foot.
Faced with the urgency to reverse the situation, Cristian Chivu opted for an unexpected change.
He substituted Luis Henrique in the 34th minute, bringing on Federico Dimarco, a switch that ultimately shifted the momentum of the match.
Dimarco not only provided an assist in the first half but also scored a goal in the second half, as Inter dominated the latter part of the game.
However, many fans were taken aback by Inzaghi’s decision, as such substitutions have been rare during his tenure.
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Beppe Bergomi Critiques Luis Henrique Following Win Over Pisa
PISA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Luis Henrique of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match against Pisa SC at Arena Garibaldi on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Bergomi commented, “We’ve all noted the crowd’s reaction at San Siro. What was Luis actually contributing on the pitch?”
“He shows promise in ball control and understands when to avoid risks… However, his performance in the final third has been lacking; most of his passes are backwards, sideways, or straightforward to the goalkeeper.”
“He seems to thrive against teams like Como that leave spaces open, but that’s too infrequent.”
“This results in Inter becoming predictable, primarily attacking down the left flank.”
“You can see Dumfries is capable of contributing significantly, potentially scoring 7-8 goals.”
“Even though Henrique has featured in 9 of the last 10 matches, Inter needs to find a better option on the wings.”
With the upcoming UEFA Champions League matchup against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, it’s likely that Henrique will find himself on the bench, with Carlos Augusto being the frontrunner for the starting right-wing position.