Chivu Defends Inter Players and Rejects Early Title Rivalry Talk

Inter Milan will resume their Serie A campaign against Parma at San Siro on October 10, 2026, with coach Cristian Chivu weighing international workloads, squad fitness and tactical options before selecting his starting lineup. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on October 9, Chivu also defended several players and questioned why Inter are routinely framed as the team to beat in the title race.

The Romanian coach said the international break had complicated preparations because players returned at different times after representing their countries. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and La Provincia di Cremona, Inter had only recently reunited with their full squad following three weeks without league action.

Chivu explained that managing playing time would be important, although he also acknowledged that his squad was accustomed to a demanding schedule.

"We cannot ignore the minutes our players accumulated with their national teams or expose them to injury risks, but we have players accustomed to playing every three days. We need to assess the circumstances, the opponent and the team's balance," Chivu said.

He emphasized that Inter would approach Parma with the same seriousness regardless of the opponent's position or reputation.

"We have learned not to underestimate anyone, and that certainly includes Parma," Chivu said.

Chivu declined to reveal his starting lineup, leaving questions over the goalkeeper and defensive formation unresolved until matchday. He also addressed the broader debate about Inter's status among the leading contenders for the championship.

"Why does everyone always talk about an anti-Inter team? Why don't we talk about an anti-Roma or an anti-Como team? We know who we are, and we do not need others to remind us that we wear the medal around our necks.

We only know how to fight, but it is too early to discuss these things or who is the rival of whom. It is only October," Chivu said.

The coach also discussed the possible return of Spence, who had been away from competitive football for approximately two months. The two reports differed slightly on the length of his recent training period with Inter, placing it at four or five days in one account and about a week in the other.

"Will Provedel start? You will see tomorrow. Spence has been training with us without restrictions, but we cannot forget that he has been away from the pitch for two months. He is available, he will be called up, and above all, we are happy to see his smile," Chivu said.

In a separate account of his selection plans, Chivu again declined to confirm whether Provedel would start and discussed the possibility of using a four-man defense.

"We will see tomorrow at 6 p.m. Could Provedel get an opportunity from the start? We will see.

If we need to play with a back four, we can do that. However, I find it difficult to use that system throughout the season because it does not suit our style of football. Over the years, we have learned never to underestimate an opponent.

I want to see the right attitude and quality every time, hoping we can earn what we deserve," Chivu said.

Chivu also defended his handling of Hakan Calhanoglu after criticism in Turkey over the midfielder's absence from a match involving his national team in Bologna. The coach said the decision to keep him at the training ground was his own, explaining that the session was scheduled for the afternoon and marked Calhanoglu's first group training session after an injury.

"They criticized him in Turkey because he did not go to Bologna to watch his national teammates, but I made that decision. I scheduled training for the afternoon, it was his first session with the group, and I wanted him there, so I did not give him the day off," Chivu said.

In comments reported by La Provincia di Cremona, the coach offered further clarification about the circumstances and rejected other accounts of the incident.

"He did not go to watch Turkey's match because of me. I was the one who kept him here for the resumption of his training. On the day of Italy against Turkey, we trained late, and I wanted him with us.

He was disappointed because he wanted to go to the national team, but he had suffered an injury, then training resumed, and he could not attend his national team's match. That is all. The other claims are false," Chivu said.

The coach also discussed Aleksandar Stankovic, whom he views as a developing option in midfield despite the importance of Calhanoglu in that position. Chivu said he had known Stankovic since childhood and believed the young player was working to demonstrate that he could compete at Inter's level.

"Everyone knows how important Hakan is in that role, but we are also curious to see Ale, who could have played more. I held him in my arms when he was a child and coached him as a teenager, and he understands that he is part of an ambitious, sophisticated team. I am pleased that he works seriously to show he belongs at this level.

Sooner or later, he will show what he is made of. There is no Sucic issue either: he arrived late for the World Cup, lost a week of preparation because of the birth of his child, and we are happy with his humility," Chivu said.

Petar Sucic's role was another subject at the press conference. Chivu stressed that assessing the midfielder solely by whether he starts matches would overlook his contribution and willingness to serve the team.

"Petar was one of the three most heavily used midfielders last season. Everything should not be reduced to starting status. We are happy with his humility and the way he makes his different qualities available to the group," Chivu said.

Chivu also assessed Andy Diouf after seeing him play as a fullback for France. At Inter, Diouf operates as a wing-back, and the coach said versatility was valuable as players adapted to unfamiliar responsibilities.

"I watched him as a fullback, and I liked what I saw. He was a little hesitant, but it was a completely new role. I like it when a player understands that he should not be tied to one position and recognizes the importance of versatility.

I also played as a high winger under Mou. I think Andy is happy now, and I hope he will mentally accept that the more things you can do, the better," Chivu said.

In a separate assessment of Diouf's international appearance, Chivu acknowledged the challenge of adapting to a new position while making his debut for France in that role.

"I liked him as a fullback for the national team. At our club, however, he plays as a wing-back. With France, he was a little hesitant, but that is understandable: he was playing in the national-team shirt for the first time and in a position that was new to him," Chivu said.

Inter's preparations therefore involve balancing the return of international players, evaluating available options and maintaining tactical flexibility before facing Parma at San Siro. Chivu said the final lineup would be determined on matchday, with player fitness and the team's overall balance central to his decisions.