Old Teammates Rival One Another For First Time As Genoa Host Inter Milan In Serie A | OneFootball

A long-standing friendship will take on a competitive edge at Marassi as Cristian Chivu and Daniele De Rossi meet for the first time on opposite benches in Genoa vs Inter.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport recalls, their bond was forged during their Roma days, stretching back to a memorable open training session at Trigoria that still “remains firmly planted in Chivu’s memory.”

Even when they became rivals on the pitch, the relationship endured, strengthened by mutual respect developed across 97 matches played together in the capital.

Now, however, the relationship enters new territory.

Genoa Vs Inter – Chivu & De Rossi Reunite In Fascinating Clash

Chivu steps into the Luigi Ferraris as Inter coach for the first time, a venue that has proven uncomfortable for the Nerazzurri in recent seasons.

Inter have not won away to Genoa since 2020, dropping points in each of their last three visits.

The context only adds to the difficulty.

Chivu arrives still managing the fallout from the controversial Liverpool defeat, compounded by injuries to key figures like Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi.

According to the Milanese daily, the Romanian has also worked to lighten a tense atmosphere shaped by six defeats across competitions.

Yet Chivu remains defiant.

He insists Inter “will not change who they are,” arguing that aside from isolated spells against Udinese and Napoli, his side have always shown “the desire to dominate.”

From the pitch to the touchline, some things, as De Rossi knows well, have never changed.