Inter Milan Veteran Heaps Praise On Cristian Chivu: “Great Helping Us Turn The Page” | OneFootball

Inter Milan veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined the chorus of praise for new head coach Cristian Chivu.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Armenian hailed the 44-year-old’s psychological impact at San Siro.

Despite his limited coaching experience in Serie A, the former defender has hit the ground running at Inter Milan.

Though the Nerazzurri lost twice in the opening three league matches, they have since hit a purple patch.

Indeed, five consecutive wins, including three in Serie A, have restored confidence around the Giuseppe Meazza camp.

Furthermore, Chivu’s men have reduced the gap to pacesetters Napoli and Roma to only three points.

Meanwhile, Chivu’s arrival has slightly diminished Mkhitaryan’s first-team opportunities.

Inter Milan Star Henrikh Mkhitaryan Praises Cristian Chivu Psychological Impact

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 20: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano attends a press conference ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

After being one of Inzaghi’s favorites, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has tumbled down the pecking order this season.

Indeed, Petar Sucic has overtaken him in the midfield hierarchy.

However, the 36-year-old seems unfazed by Chivu’s preference.

“In reality, it doesn’t change anything for me,” he admitted. “I don’t measure my commitment by the minutes spent on the field.

“I continue to work and fight until the end, in training and in matches. And I know I’m not playing with the same continuity as before.

“However, I also understand that, at almost 37 years old, it’s normal to introduce young players who are the future of the club.

“Even though some things are similar, the work we do with Chivu is different from what we did with Inzaghi,” Mkhitaryan added.

“Tactically, it’s a bit more vertical; we try to finish the action as quickly as possible, with more aggression.

“But it also depends on the opponent: you don’t always have the space. You have to understand when and how to do it.

“It’s about details, and those are the ones that make the difference.

“It’s early; we’ve been working together for a few months, but I really like his attention to every detail.

“He’s very meticulous, a trait of great coaches. Training sessions with him are intense and particularly fun.

“They confuse everyone, give extra stimuli, but they’re also quite tough. They keep you focused, a feeling that helps on the field.

“Overall, Chivu has been good at helping us turn the page mentally after the end of last season.

“The past can’t be changed, but the future can be written.”

Petar Sucic Is a Star in the Making, Francesco Pio Esposito & Ange-Yoan Bonny Must Be ‘Selfish’

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Petar Sucic of Internazionale takes a shot during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Sucic has gone from strength to strength at the beginning of his career in Serie A.

Meanwhile, Mkhitaryan recognizes the 21-year-old’s potential to become a world-class midfielder.

“Sucic is a Sucic,” the ex-Roma ace stated. “He’s serious like me, he applies himself, and he loves to learn, even languages.

“He knows that speaking Italian will help him even more. That’s why he will have a great future.

“As a modern midfielder, I really like him: he has excellent technical qualities, he’s physically strong, and he already runs a lot.

“He still needs to grow tactically, but he’s only 21…”

Meanwhile, Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny have been phenomenal at the start of the season.

“I’ve already told them privately to be… more selfish. Attackers need to be. They are judged by goals.

“They have to help the team, as they already do, but in the end, only their goals will count.

“I keep repeating: ‘You’re the ones who have to make us win!’

“I can help them with certain tactical details, but it’s up to them to work and put it in the net.

“Believe me, they already have a great present. But the future will be even bigger, especially because they know how to behave everywhere.”

Henrikh Mkhitaryan Addresses Famous ‘Unplayable’ Quote & Outlines Inter Milan High Ambitions

BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

“It’s just a psychological game among teams to take off or put on pressure,” Mkhitaryan maintains.

“In the end, everyone wants and can win the Scudetto.

“Look at the standings: after six rounds, there are 5-6 teams up there.

“Is anyone trying to pull out? Napoli won it last year, but we can’t deny that we’re among the favorites too.

“It won’t be easy, but we’ll give everything to take back the Scudetto.

“The negative events of last season have given us more motivation to prove ourselves, both in Europe and in Italy.

“We want to show that we can compete at the highest level and win titles.

“Sometimes we feel too strong and we’re not focused,” he added. “Yes, it was an obvious problem.

“We lost points because, unconsciously, we perhaps thought we would manage anyway.

“We’re all working on this together thanks to the coach: we want to avoid falling into that mistake again.

“However, I still believe that if we train well and make sacrifices, then everything becomes truly possible for Inter.