Chivu: "On the field with motivation, pride and the right energy"

Following the International Break, Inter are back in action for the big match against Juventus on Serie A 2025/26 matchday three: in Turin on Saturday 13 September at 18:00 CEST. On the eve of the clash, from the BPER Training Centre in Appiano Gentile, Cristian Chivu speaks to the press: We're restarting after the international break, how is the team doing?

"The team has worked well, those that were here and those that were abroad, we know that the National Team, from a mental point of view, is something that can give you extra energy. Today is the first day that we've all been available, the important thing is that everyone is well and ready to play in this match".

Is this match worth more than three points?

"We're now at the third match of the season, the beauty of football is that sooner or later you have to play this type of match. The two teams know the importance of this match, about what the Derby d'Italia represents. We will need the right mentality, calmness and energy to deal with the different moments and perform well in this match".

Have you worked on the things that have needed to be improved?

"I didn't talk about "little flaws" but about certainties. This team has certainties, it knows how to do determined things. I spoke about cutting one thing that I didn't like but I must have the intelligence to understand what this team can do without losing the certainties. I'm not here to revolutionise everything, because this is a team that's been at the top of Italian and European football. We just need to add a few details to get the best out of this team, to make sure it finds the maximum confidence in its own abilities and has the right energy and motivation to achieve its goals.

Is Akanji ready for this match? How did this transfer come about?

"How he got here isn't important, but the fact that he's here is. Akanji is an important player, of an international standard and he brings an additional value to this group, just like the other players in the squad because everyone can make their own contribution. I am very happy with the players that I have here because these are the best 25 players in circulation and I am happy with them".

What do you expect tomorrow?

"We're aware of how the season goes, you win games and lose games, when doesn't matter, it's a marathon, there's 38 matches. We are all aware of the importance of a match against Juventus. We need to accept the fact that when things aren't going well, you need to pick yourself back up and work hard because we need to learn from our errors and move forward with the right mentality, personality and courage: this is how you grow".

Will there be a more “conservative” attitude tomorrow in terms of tactics?

"We have an identity and we are bringing our work forward, then, sometimes you have to understand the moments in the match. The game plan can also become twisted and you have to find the solutions to reduce the impact of what might happen. Our identity, our objective is always that: we go and play the matches, you have to find the right variant, everyone is ready to work for the group and make it tough for the opposition to get a result".

How will you see the Parma game against Juventus from last season in this match?

"I mustn't make comparisons and I won't. They're different teams with different ambitions and that goes for Parma, Inter and Juventus. Juventus is a team with an identity that has had a good transfer window according to the ideas of the Coach, and they have Bremer back in defence. We can't make comparisons. Here, we talk about Inter, a team with different objectives which always tries to be dominant, a team that knows that the expectations are always very high. That's not to say that there's extra pressure on us and the things that we will need to do in the match. I trust in the pride of my players who will find the right impulses in a match that requires motivation and pride more than tactics".

At what point is the process at in terms of confidence?

"It's a continuous process because motivation always makes the difference. Giving continuity to motivation is not always easy, it's a continuous process that lasts all season long. We need to try and find the desire to improve ourselves and the team everyday, despite the routine, but this goes for everyone, for the staff and the players".

How excited are you for tomorrow?

"I am calm because I don't want to lose our clarity of mind. I know what I am doing, in terms of the mental, tactic and physical energy. The rest is a waste of energy that won't do us good. I rest much better now compared to when I was a player, I've always felt responsible for the trust that my teammates have put into me, and this is something that I am trying to transmit to the team because responsibility for others is something that raises the level of the team".

How do you see Calha? Will he start?

"I know what my players can give, from what I've seen, he's a very motivated player who can give his all, despite coming back from an injury. When he returned, he was very motivated and wanted us to see that he wanted to be here to give us a hand".

Are you happy with the transfer market?

"My players are the best, I don't look elsewhere, I am very happy to work with such a motivated group. We have a mix of youthfulness and experience with the transfers we've made. Some of the younger players have brought us energy and raise the level of the team when in training and on the pitch".

How are you managing Akanji and Bisseck for this match?

"Managing the group is never easy, we need everyone to be motivated especially in a team that fights in all competitions, we need energy and to manage everything. Bisseck was criticised because it's easy to create an opinion on a player that I've not had the chance to give continuity to his performance during the matches. If you're thrown to the wall after your first error, it's more difficult to build trust and confidence in yourself, making it harder to grow. He's a young guy who will still make mistakes but we need him, we have many matches ahead and we've seen his motivation in training. It was important to give him minutes and play him ahead of the upcoming matches".