Chivu: "No fear, we're ready and we want to play" | OneFootball

The new season is about to begin. Inter are set to kick off their 2025/26 Serie A campaign against Torino, and on the eve of the match, Nerazzurri head coach Cristian Chivu addressed the media at the BPER Training Centre in Appiano Gentile.

Coach, the season starts tomorrow after a busy summer. How satisfied are you with pre-season, and what kind of Inter do you expect to see against Torino? What have you asked of the team? "We’ve worked well over these four weeks. It was a short but intense pre-season. We didn’t face too many difficulties. The team trained hard, and the players gave their all. As always, we did some things well and others less so. We’re still a work in progress, and we want to keep improving, both individually and collectively. We’re ready to begin, and we can’t wait."

What’s your assessment of the most recent transfer business? "Our approach to the transfer window has always been targeted. We had some specific names in mind, but some of the clubs we negotiated with considered those players untouchable, just as we did with our own. Every club has the right to make their own decisions. We stayed true to our vision and followed the Club’s youth-focused strategy. I think we did well, bringing in players who are both talented and ready to play for Inter."

Oriali said Inter are the title favourites. Do you agree, or is it a more balanced picture? "I think the champions always start as favourites. Lele Oriali is a friend, but with the money Napoli spent and the squad they already had last season, I believe they’re also among the favourites."

What elements of the Treble-winning Inter side do you hope to pass on? "Part of it is about character, and part is about understanding that what you plan doesn’t always happen. You have to manage the good moments, but above all, the difficult ones. Every season has a tough spell. If you can’t get a result during that period, everything changes. It happened in Kyiv with the Inter side I played in back in 2010. Knowing how to handle those moments is key to pushing forward and reaching the final step needed to win trophies."

What do you make of the league starting while the transfer window is still open? "As coaches, our opinions matter little. These are rules set by UEFA and FIFA. We’d prefer clarity and to have everything settled before the season starts, but managing players and their thoughts is part of the job. Someone once told me the easiest part of coaching is being on the pitch. Everything else is managing problems. It would be great to begin the season with a clear squad and outlook, but this is part of the game. You need to be ready for any uncertainty that might come from an open transfer window."

Is there anything in particular you’re worried about heading into the start of the season? "I’m not afraid of anything. We’re not afraid of anything. We’ve trained well and worked hard, but we can’t control everything that happens during a match. What matters is being honest with your work and preparation, forgetting the past and focusing on the present. You always try to give your best with what you have every day, every week. Mentality is key. When you have motivation and clear goals, you know the steps you need to take. That’s why the first game is always the most important one."

How do you feel ahead of such a historic debut? "I’m proud to be Inter’s coach. I’m aware of the responsibility and what I try to bring to the team. When you give everything you have — time, energy, and knowledge — things become simpler. You never know if you’ll succeed or not, but I couldn’t wait for the season to start. Experience tells us that we all prefer playing to waiting. We’re happy to begin a new campaign. We feel calm and motivated. The pitch will show us where we stand."

Are you expecting more signings? "We are fully aligned with the Club. We share the same vision. I’m happy with what we have. Even during our time in the US, we talked about investing in young players who could increase the value of the squad. We aim for quality and players who are already ready to contribute, but at the same time, we know that young players require patience. That said, integrating them is easier when they’re surrounded by experienced teammates, with time and support from the coaching staff and a Club that gives them everything they need. This is the perfect environment to help talented young players grow."

What are you expecting from Torino? "Torino have invested well. They’ve changed their coach, but the structure of the team remains the same. The new manager brings a bit of the unknown, just like us, in terms of playing principles. I respect Baroni a lot for what he’s done in the past. Torino will give everything they have to get a result against a stronger side. They’re tough opponents, they know how to play, and they’re in good shape. They can do a lot of things well."

The last non-Italian coach to win his Serie A debut was Cúper. Do you feel like an Italian coach? How would you describe yourself? "I arrived in Italy in 2003. I spent my prime years as a player here, though I never forgot my early years in the modern game. At Ajax, the culture was completely different from what we’re used to here. I don’t want to criticise any approach. Football has thousands of nuances, and it takes sensitivity to know what to do and what to avoid. In so-called modern football, people admire what’s done abroad, but they also appreciate what we do here. There’s no one right method. There are principles, and it’s up to the coach to judge how far they can push. Coaching is an art. You need a bit of everything. Some people will say I lack experience, but the experience I’ve had in life helps me see football differently. Here, we’re a bit obsessed with results. There’s little time to develop ideas. Time, club maturity, the coach, and the players all need to be aligned to bring a vision forward. At Inter, rightly or wrongly, there is no time. You have to start strong because the goal is always to improve and go all the way."

As a player, you experienced the love of the fans. Tomorrow, it seems the organised support may not be behind the team. What effect could that have? "I don’t think it will affect the players, but I hope the situation is resolved quickly. The team needs its fans and needs support. I think that’s what makes the stadium such a special place, the passion. I hope the whole stadium gets behind us, regardless of which sections are full."

What led to the shift in the Club’s transfer approach? "I want quality over quantity, not the other way around. We had identified a very high-level player, but we didn’t sign him, and it wasn’t our fault. We’ve brought in others who can raise the competitive level of the group and the team."