Revealed – How Cristian Chivu Is Working To Make Inter Milan More ‘Aggressive’ | OneFootball

Christian Chivu is working to make Inter Milan more “aggressive” and “vertical” under his coaching tenure.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, note that the Romanian won’t necessarily be bothered that the team commits more fouls than in the past.

It has always looked clear that Cristian Chivu would aim to make tactical changes to Inter Milan.

So far, that has not really been apparent in the formation. Chivu has largely stuck with the 3-5-2 shape that not only Simone Inzaghi but also Antonio Conte had used before him.

However, Chivu has started to change things up with his substitutions, in terms of the formation.

And more importantly, the way that the 44-year-old has used the shape has been very different in comparison to Inzaghi.

Chivu Bringing More “Aggression” To Inter Milan – Fouls Not A Problem

MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 12: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu looks on before the Pre-season Friendly match between AC Monza and FC Internazionale at U-Power Stadium on August 12, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As the Gazzetta dello Sport, Chivu has aimed to make Inter a more direct team.

Verticality up the pitch is a key characteristic that the new coach wants to imbue the team with. He wants his players to attack quickly, striking while the iron is hot.

To accomplish this, Chivu wants Inter to win the ball back more proactively than they had under Inzaghi.

To this end, the team is more “aggressive,” the Gazzetta note. The pressing is more frequent and more intense.

Furthermore, the newspaper observe, Inter have already committed 31 fouls this season in Serie A. That means 15.5 per match.

This figure is far up from where it was under Inzaghi.

Of course, giving away fouls is never ideal. However, most of these have been high up the pitch or in midfield.

Therefore, Chivu will appreciate this number as a signal of his team’s intention to commit more and more to trying to win the ball.