Chivu's press conference live | OneFootball

Here we go! The 2026/27 league season is upon us: on Saturday 22 August at 18:30 CEST, reigning champions Inter will kick off their Serie A campaign against Monza at San Siro.

Live from the Inter Training Center in Appiano Gentile, Cristian Chivu speaks to the media in his pre-match press conference. How is the squad feeling, and how are you approaching the start of the season? "We're starting again from zero, fully aware that we're the team to beat and that nobody will give us anything. We'll do everything we can to stay competitive and achieve our ambitions.

How do you see this season unfolding? Are you planning structural changes to the team's style of play? "You talk about formations, identity and surprises. I talk about standards. This team has already shown it can perform at a very high level, and we can raise the bar even further. This group has humility and hunger, they've proved that over time, and they know there's still plenty of work we can do."

Are you satisfied with the squad at your disposal? "It is our duty and objective to keep improving. We're building what we want to become in the future. We have a high-quality squad that's competitive both now and for the years ahead, so we're starting from a very good position."

There has been speculation about Lautaro in the transfer market. What can you tell us? "The transfer market is always like this, stories will always come out. If people are talking about our players, it's because they're recognised around the world as top players. Lautaro is our captain, a World Cup winner in 2022, and this summer he reached another major final. We want to keep him close because he represents everything we've been in the recent past, everything we are today and everything we want to be in the future. There will always be rumours around players of his calibre, but Lautaro is with us and he'll be with us for a long time. He's our captain and someone we're building both today and tomorrow around."

How is Lautaro's fitness? "He came back later than the others, so his pre-season started later. We'll see how he is between now and tomorrow before making a decision."

How difficult is it to defend the title? What are your objectives? "I don't talk about destinations or trophies, I talk about who we are today. We focus on the immediate future, on the present: one small objective at a time, one match at a time. First Monza, then Cagliari, and so on. Along the way we'll understand how far we can go. The important thing is maintaining the high standards we've had over the last few years."

Everyone says you're the team to beat... "We don't fear anyone. Every season starts from zero. There are many contenders and everyone wants to compete. Over the course of the season the real hierarchy will emerge. What matters most to me is our growth. We can't become complacent, we still have room to improve. We want fresh motivation to keep growing."

Has your approach changed compared to last season? "I'm still the same person. I always carry doubts and uncertainties, but also awareness and responsibility. I feel responsible for leading this team and preparing it as well as possible for whoever comes after me. I don't need approval from others. I know who I am as a person, and professionally I know I still have to improve. I never want to become perfect. I'd rather remain someone with doubts, someone who genuinely cares about the team, feels responsible towards the Club and respects its extraordinary supporters."

Why is Jones the right fit for this team? "I'm very happy that Jones has joined us. He gives us the chance to bring in a player with very specific qualities, and he showed complete commitment to coming here. Players understand how important this Club is. We've built something valuable over the years, and with signings like him we can raise the level even further. He adds another solution to what is an already competitive group."

What can Spence bring on the right-hand side? "We'll never compare one player to another because everyone has different qualities. We brought him in because he fits what we want to build. He has room to improve, and so do we. He's joined a group that's been competitive for years and wants to stay at the top."

The feeling around the team seems very different from last year... "There's a difference between the perception outside and what we feel internally. You don't go from being called a finished team one moment to overwhelming favourites the next. We're still the same team. What matters is how you respond to difficult moments and what ambitions the group has. Mentally and emotionally we're a step ahead, but we already showed that last season. What pleases me most is seeing a team that's motivated, works quietly and embraces the workload. The players understand what this Club represents, what belonging means, and what they're expected to pass on to new arrivals."

How are Diouf and Pavard doing? "Andy has plenty of room to improve, and that's exactly why he's such an important starting point for me. Adapting to a coach's ideas and reaching the standards that help your teammates improve is essential. Those standards are defined by the players themselves. He's worked extremely hard. Mistakes will always occur, even experienced players make them. However, what matters most is the energy, intensity and different solutions he brings in that role. Both sides of the game are important. As for Pavard, he's worked brilliantly and has made himself fully available to the group. He's already shown his quality at the highest level, so I don't need to explain his value. His position has evolved a lot, and he contributes importantly to this team."

What do you think of the new rules introduced at the World Cup? "As far as I'm concerned, innovation is a good thing until it's proven otherwise. The aim is to give matches more rhythm by reducing time-wasting. If you increase the amount of football that's actually played, it's better for everyone. Our highest effective playing time was 62 minutes, while the average sits between 55 and 58. The more football that's played, the better. I also want to wish all the referees a calm and successful season."

What's the situation with Stanković? "You already know my opinion. He's part of the group and, like everyone else, he'll compete for the playing time every player wants."

Between Martínez and Provedel, is there a clear first-choice goalkeeper? "I talk about standards. That applies to everyone, not just the goalkeepers."