Cristian Chivu Shows Early Signs Of Changing 3-5-2 Shape At Inter Milan | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu is showing early signs that he is willing to change the 3-5-2 shape as coach of Inter Milan.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, via FCInter1908.

Cristian Chivu has inherited a very well-worn 3-5-2 shape from Simone Inzaghi at Inter Milan.

Inzaghi had used that formation for four years in charge of the Nerazzurri. And before him, Antonio Conte had also set Inter up in that formation.

When Inzaghi took over from Conte, however, he certainly did put his stamp on the 3-5-2 shape.

Despite the players lining up on the field with the same shape on paper, the system of play was much different, right from Inzaghi’s first few matches in charge.

And now, there are already clear signs that it will be the same sort of transition under Chivu. And even potentially that he could change the formation entirely.

Cristian Chivu Shows Signs Of Changing 3-5-2 Shape At Inter Milan

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

As the Corriere della Sera notes, one of the biggest changes from Cristian Chivu has been a more aggressive press by the team out of possession.

And particularly when the Nerazzurri give the ball away, their approach looks different. The players are going man-to-man to mark opponents when stopping counterattacks.

That appears to be Chivu’s approach to trying to stop something that was a real Achilles’ Heel for Inter under Inzaghi: allowing too many cheap counterattacks.

Meanwhile, the Corriere della Sera notes, Inter are looking to get the midfielders closer to the strikers. Particularly in the case of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and then Nicola Zalewski.

The switch to a 3-4-1-2 and then 3-4-2-1 shape in the second half of Inter’s Club World Cup match against Monterrey was a clear indicator of that.

The introduction of Petar Sucic into midfield created a two-player base in midfield. That allowed the third midfielder to get forward more freely, along with the wingbacks.