Chivu: "We always want to be dominant" | OneFootball

The day before Inter vs Napoli, the big match of Matchday 3 of Serie A 2026/7: the Nerazzurri will take to the pitch at San Siro on Saturday 5 September at 18:00 CEST.

Ahead of the match, Inter coach Christian Chivu presented the game in a press conference at the Inter Training Centre in Appiano Gentile.

After two wins, there is an important challenge ahead: how is the team? "Confident, they've worked well. We have made a good start to the season and have tried to showcase our qualities, knowing that we're not yet at our best, but we're getting there as we go along. We know how important this game is. Napoli finished second and won the league two years ago; we have to rise to the occasion and do our utmost to honour this type of game."

What did the situation with Piero Ausilio mean to you? "For me, Piero is a friend first and a professional second. I shared many years at Inter with him, as well as trophies we won together, both as a player and as a coach. He has spent 28 years at the club, including 14 as Sporting Director, which is an exception in today’s football when it comes to spending so many years at one club. We must thank him from the bottom of our hearts for everything he has done over the years. We said goodbye to him yesterday, we hugged, and it was an emotional day. He deserves to be thanked for what he has represented for this club."

Will managing resources be a key factor this season? "That's one of the qualities a coach has to have. I demand ‘attentiveness’ from the group, and I have to keep in mind what that word represents in its entirety too. That's where the skill lies: knowing what to do and what to give. With 25 players, only 11 can be happy on a Sunday. But I always believe in the unity of the group and in maintaining a high level every day. I try to make them understand the importance of the five substitutions; we did that well last year. Whoever comes on has to see it as an opportunity and as an obligation towards their team-mates because of what they bring to the team. That has to be the mentality. We're all in the same boat, so we shouldn’t show our anger. We're all heading in the same direction, and everyone will have opportunities because the season is long and we always need fresh energy."

Last year you suffered two defeats against Allegri: what impact could that have, given that Napoli haven’t changed much? "I have great respect and appreciation for Allegri and what he represents in Italian football, even if some people don't always show it. He has won six Scudetti and reached two Champions League finals; he has great experience and us younger coaches can only learn from him. We accepted those two defeats, picked ourselves up, and continued to focus on the ultimate goal. Losing hurts, but it's a marathon and we have never lost sight of the bigger picture. We have to do our best. It's not the coaches who play, but the teams that have been prepared in a certain way. Both Napoli and ourselves have the right ambition to show that we want to be competitive right until the very end."

At times there has been a lack of speed in defence: what do you expect against Napoli and Real Madrid? "In football, prevention is important. I don't think we've conceded all that much; we've known how to manage certain moments. We need to improve our ability to prevent situations and develop that negative mindset that always allows you to act before you have to react. We can improve, but we have great defenders who know how to sort things out themselves and recognise when they make mistakes. They also know that you can concede something because of an error or an opponent's quality. We always want to be dominant and push plenty of players forward when we have possession, knowing that we can get a few counter-pressing situations wrong. Sometimes too much emphasis is placed on mistakes, but then people ask for plenty of entertainment and chances. For me, that's football, and fortunately my players share that vision. The important thing is to have the right energy and courage to play with a smile, while looking to be dominant and adapting to the different moments of the game."

Head-to-head clash: is it just another game, or does it send a message on a moral level? "What is a head-to-head clash? Does it depend on the standings, tradition or results? I think there are many head-to-head clashes, even against the team at the bottom of the table. A season lasts 38 games, I learned from last year; after three games we had suffered two defeats, but we went on to win. Yes, it's a head-to-head clash because for us, every game is one. We're aware of what we want to do and that we can lose, but what matters is how you react. We want to build on the first two games, on last year and also on all the standards we've set over the last seven years. We respect our opponents and know it won't be easy, but we're ready to face a Napoli side who will want to show what they're capable of."

Napoli are unbeaten in the last five meetings: how did they neutralise you last year? "Last year in Naples, we had even more motivation and incentive to correct our mistakes and weaknesses in dealing with the sense of injustice. We played a good first half and were angry about something we felt was unfair, but it helped us grow and learn from the defeat. What matters is being able to tell each other honestly what we think and then react. After that defeat, we went on a run of seven or eight games, then came the derby, followed by another run of 14 or 15 positive results. It's not right to make comparisons, because the coach, circumstances, and ambitions change. We simply want to be competitive and show that our identity is the right one, while being aware of what we want to do and maintaining a proactive approach, even when it comes to being pragmatic."

How long will it take the English players to adapt? "I don't make plans. People are overthinking and worrying about things that haven’t even happened during my management of the team over these two games. You're curious about Stones and Jones; I'm just as curious about Carlos Augusto, Mkhitaryan and those who have been a fundamental part of the group for years, in terms of what they show every day. Stones and Jones are doing well. They've been training with us in recent weeks and you've seen them on the pitch. They'll show what they're capable of, although I don't think they need to prove anything. We know they'll make their contribution during the season. Spence is still undergoing rehabilitation to overcome his problem, and you'll see him when he's ready."

What do you want to see again from the first two games, and what don't you want to see? "We want to keep being dominant and proactive, make mistakes and learn from them, and not let ourselves be overcome by frantic play or errors that can happen in football. Always thinking positively, showing tenacity and discipline, and making the mental effort to overcome negative thoughts. It's always the same things. This team has room for improvement. I'm looking for progress and improvement, and I've seen that in the Monza and Cagliari games. I always demand more. I know the players understand how important this game is, and I expect to see the best version of themselves tomorrow."

Do you like the new refereeing approach, with more effective playing time? "Our team has always trained to maintain a high intensity and not allow the game to stop, to keep playing and get the ball back into play quickly. We don't look for miracles; we focus on what we can control. I like it, but I'm thinking others do too, because adding five minutes is not insignificant. We have to maintain this level; that's what the rules are there for. You can see improvements from one matchday to the next, and we're all happy because it brings more rhythm and intensity to football."

After Cagliari you spoke about rust: aside from the new arrivals, have the other players who took part in the World Cup improved in recent days? "They've had four more training sessions, so we have to see how much fitness they've gained. They're certainly in better shape, but sometimes that may also be a coach's excuse because he's worried they might get injured. They're important players and I'd like to have them all on the pitch as soon as possible. It’s important for the whole group because it gives me options and allows them to show what they're capable of. We'll see during the game how much they've built up, and they'll be ready to contribute depending on the minutes they play, whether they start or come off the bench."

Will you always play this way, or will you sit deeper in other games? "Allegri is good at understanding what we'll be like and will prepare for both situations. We have to maintain our identity, determination and courage. I never want us to lose our desire to be dominant. This team has built a clear idea in its mind of what it wants to be. Last year I made a few errors of judgement, and I hope I've learned from them, including how to convey to the team that we need to maintain the same mentality."

Pavard didn't have a good year last season: how closely did you follow him at Marseille? "I can only speak about Benji in terms of what I experienced with him; I can't comment on what happened elsewhere. Now he's back as a player who has made himself available to the group. He's had an important pre-season, shown his qualities and is keen to be here and contribute to our ambitions."

Will Akanji play tomorrow or rest? "I don't know. I never know the line-up. I have my doubts. I have 25 players who are all good and all strong, and I make my choices at the last minute. I don't prepare the line-up three days in advance. I have a method that allows me to keep things under wraps: everyone has to feel important, and the others can't be ruled out as early as Tuesday. Sometimes people don't like it, and I probably create some mental difficulty for the players as well, but after a year like this I'll continue this way. I have a few names who are certain, but everything can change from one day to the next. We'll see."

What does Chivu need to do to be considered the best coach in Serie A? "I'd like to congratulate Cesc Fabegas on the AIC award. He's a great coach and has shown his value. He has a very high level of competitiveness, and we all know the work he's done with Como over the years. I have certain character traits that mean I never think about my ego. My concern is the players; seeing them happy at the end of the season and seeing them on the stage the other night filled me with pride. I work for them, not for myself. I would never trade an individual award for a trophy, especially the Scudetto."

What kind of season will it be for Pio Esposito? "He's not last year’s Pio, he's a different one. I hope he's better. Pio has a year behind him with us, a year in which he did a lot. I don't know whether it was enough, but he did his part and made his contribution. I wish him, and the other three strikers, all the best in showing what they're capable of and understanding how important they are to our game. I only expect them to make the improvements they're capable of."