Tough Training & Squad Rotation – Inside Key Facets Of ‘Chivu Revolution’ At Inter Milan | OneFootball

Tougher athletic training sessions than ever and greater squad rotation have been key facets of the “revolution” under Cristian Chivu at Inter Milan.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They note how the Romanian has really put his stamp on the Nerazzurri squad.

Cristian Chivu took over as coach of Inter Milan this past summer.

The legendary former Nerazzurri defender replaced Simone Inzaghi following the 49-year-old’s controversial exit to join Al-Hilal.

Chivu arrived as Inter coach as a big name. And he certainly had plenty of experience as a player, as well as a positive reputation coaching the Nerazzurri at youth team level.

However, the 44-year-old had only coached a grand total of thirteen matches at senior level prior to arriving.

All of these came in charge of Parma last season. Chivu took over in midseason and guided the Emiliani to Serie A surivival.

Tough Training & Squad Rotation Key For Chivu At Inter

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)

As the Gazzetta dello Sport note, there had been the possibility for Chivu’s arrival to herald a massive overhaul at Inter.

The Nerazzurri were linked with some huge transfer targets. Most notably, they chased Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Roma’s Manu Kone.

In the end, however, Inter had a more low-key summer transfer window.

Therefore, this perhaps led to the sense that Chivu was not going to make the kinds of wholesale and ambitious changes that many had expected.

However, the Gazzetta report, despite relying on the same core of players that his predecessor Inzaghi had – and typically relying on the same 3-5-2 formation – Chivu has put his own spin on things.

One of the most notable changes has concerned the training sessions.

Chivu has ramped up the intensity of Inter’s athletic preparations since taking over. If anything, the Romanian’s approach has more closely resembled that of Antonio Conte as Nerazzurri coach.

Furthermore, the Gazzetta note, Chivu has been adamant on rotating his squad. He has not relied upon the same starting eleven week to week as Inzaghi had.

One criticism that Inzaghi had frequently faced as Inter coach despite his overall success was that he overused certain key players. And refused to give others a chance.

On the other hand, Chivu has made it clear that no one’s place in the lineup is a guarantee.