Former Inter Milan & Italy Striker Claims: ‘Courageous Chivu Doesn’t A**-Kiss; Inzaghi Caused Disasters’ | OneFootball

Antonio Cassano offered another uncompromising take on Inter Milan, praising Cristian Chivu after the win over Lecce while launching a fierce attack on Simone Inzaghi.

During Viva el Futbol, the former Inter and Italy striker analysed the narrow victory and insisted Inter deserved the three points despite a difficult performance.

Fatigue clearly affected the Nerazzurri, but Cassano still saw a side that created more than their opponents.

“Inter deserved it for me,” he said. “They didn’t play well and they were tired, but they did more than Lecce. Take away Siebert’s chance and Inter won the match on merit.”

Chivu’s tactical decisions then became the centre of Cassano’s analysis. He pointed to a clear contrast in approach between the two benches.

“The other coach went striker for striker, midfielder for midfielder,” Cassano explained.

“Chivu did the opposite. He played with three forwards and Zielinski in midfield. Then, ten minutes after the goal, he took off an attacker and went back to the original system.”

That sequence, in Cassano’s view, revealed Chivu’s character.

“That takes courage,” he continued. “He has courage like the great coaches and he doesn’t care. He speaks how he wants, does what he likes based on the players and doesn’t a**-kiss anyone.”

Cassano Impressed By Chivu At Inter And Mocks ‘Genius’ Inzaghi

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, reacts during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Drawing on past examples, Cassano compared Chivu’s mindset to that of Luis Enrique during his time at Roma.

“When I heard Chivu speak, it reminded me of Luis Enrique,” he said.

“They criticised him because he didn’t do training camps. Then he left and won everything. In Italy we aren’t used to something better or different. We like yes-men, defensive football, snakes covered in oil.”

From Cassano’s perspective, Chivu had already made his mark regardless of the result. “He won the match, but he had already won before that,” he claimed.

“He won for how he presents himself, for how the team plays, and for the credibility he has created.”

Cassano then turned his focus to Inzaghi, reserving his harshest criticism for Inter’s former coach.

“Unlike the ‘genius’ who spent four years selling himself well and caused only disasters,” he said.

“He did more damage than a hailstorm. Chivu has already won because of the impact he’s had and because he made the press understand certain things.”

To conclude, Cassano grouped Chivu with another coach he rates highly. “Chivu and Fabregas are different,” he said. “They are destined to leave. Italy doesn’t deserve them. They are meant to coach the biggest teams in Europe.”