Chivu: ‘I need to trust Inter players and give them a chance’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu explains his Inter choices against Venezia in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, noting he has to ‘trust these players and give them the chance to show what they can do.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Napoli vs. Cagliari on the Liveblog.

The winners of this fixture will go on to face either Roma or Torino in the quarter-finals.

Chivu focused only on tonight’s game

MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“We have to take it one game at a time, so the most important is the Coppa Italia, a different tournament. We’ll have time to think about Serie A and then the Champions League,” Chivu told Sport Mediaset.

There are quite a few changes to the line-up, including rare opportunities for Luis Henrique and Andy Diouf, even if they are played out of position.

“I need to trust these players and give them the chance to show what they can do. At times, players can do well on their weaker feet, we need to seek out different solutions,” explained Chivu.

“I chose this starting XI because I thought it was best suited to this particular match.”

VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 02, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

As there is no extra time in the Coppa Italia until the semi-final stage, if the tie is level after 90 minutes, then it goes directly into a penalty shoot-out.

Venezia are the only remaining Serie B side in the tournament, having eliminated Mantova and Hellas Verona.