Ex Inter Milan U19 Coach Backs ‘Mentally Strong’ Midfielder & Reflects On Atalanta Coach’s Failed Stint At Inter | OneFootball

Former Inter Milan Under-19 coach Christian Chivu believes that the “mentally strong” Giovanni Fabbian can succeed at the Nerazzurri.

Chivu spoke to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com. He also looked back on the failed stint of current Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini at Inter.

One of the most high profile players to come out of Inter’s academy in recent years has been midfielder Fabbian.

The Italy Under-21 midfielder was a standout player for Inter’s Under-19 or Primavera team.

Then, Fabbian had a barnstorming season in Serie B on loan with Reggina for his first campaign in senior football.

That earned Fabbian a move to Serie A. Bologna signed him in the summer of 2023.

The Rossoblu signed Fabbian on a permanent basis rather than loaning him. However, Inter do have a buyback option on the 21-year-old that becomes active next summer.

Christian Chivu Backs “Mentally Strong” Giovanni Fabbian To Succeed At Inter

Former Inter Primavera coach Chivu worked closely with Fabbian.

And the Romanian said that “Giovanni is tough.”

“People often make the mistake of underestimating the importance of the mental side of the game,” he said. “But that’s the aspect that takes you to the next level.”

“Once he gave me hell for substituting him in the sixtieth minute,” Chivu said of Fabbian.

“I’d achieved my goal,” the coach looked back. “I wanted players who were like this, fiery, who had the courage to react and argue.”

Meanwhile, from his playing time Chivu recalled the spell that Gian Piero Gasperini had in charge of Inter.

Gasperini has enjoyed immense success in charge of Atalanta. And he also won plaudits for his two tenures in charge of Genoa. However, Gasperini’s time at Inter was nothing short of a disaster.

“It was a mature team,” Chivu looked back on the Nerazzurri team that Gasperini took over. “Any coach would’ve found it difficult.”

“He took over during the post-Treble era,” Chivu noted. “It would have been really tough to motivate the team.”

Meanwhile, Chivu also downplayed Inter’s Supercoppa Italiana final loss to AC Milan. “As usual,” he said. “One defeat is enough to have people rioting.”

“Inter player well,” the Romanian argued.

“But something changed when Milan started closing down the spaces, and Leao came on.”

“But Inter played their game despite some big names missing,” Chivu argued.