Chivu: “We’re calm and focused on our progress”

It's the eve of Inter vs Udinese, a Matchday 4 fixture in Serie A 2026/27: the Nerazzurri will take on Udinese at San Siro on Monday 14 September at 20:45 CEST.

Ahead of the game, Nerazzurri head coach Cristian Chivu previewed the match in his press conference at the Inter Training Center in Appiano Gentile.

Udinese come to San Siro tomorrow. They’re a physical side and a difficult opponent. How do you prepare for a game like this? “The team are in good shape going into the match. We prepare for these games in the same way as always, with a clear understanding of Udinese’s strengths. They’re a physical side with real quality, well coached by a manager who has done an excellent job over the past few years despite several changes in the squad. Their style and characteristics can make life difficult for any opponent, including in the way you prepare for the game. We’ll do everything we can to make sure we’re ready.”

How is the team feeling after Madrid, and what did you take from the game in terms of confidence despite the result? Did the trip to the Bernabéu teach you anything?

“We’re calm, as always. Our objective is to keep growing, improving and adding more to our game. It’s still too early to draw conclusions: we’re only a few weeks into the season, but I’m already seeing some very encouraging signs from the team. If you judge us purely on the result, then criticism is understandable, but our focus is on the principles we want to develop and the progress we’re making. We can’t lose sight of the good things we showed, not only against Real Madrid but against Napoli as well. When games come in quick succession, I prefer to look at them together. We put a lot into the Napoli game and then, 72 hours later, went to the Bernabéu. You have to take a broader view, identify the positives from both performances and keep moving in the direction we’ve set for ourselves.”

Do you feel the team is on the right track in terms of performances at Champions League level? And how do you assess the way the players have responded to the criticism?

“We’re focused on our development and on where we want to be over the course of the season. We’re still in the early stages, between August and September, but we’re also mindful that our last six or seven Champions League games haven’t gone the way we wanted: we won one and lost the others. This is a new season, though, and the start of a new journey. We have an eight-game mini-league ahead of us and we need to put together a strong points total. Our attention is on our work, on the belief we have in what we’re doing and on building the confidence and foundations we want to carry forward. In Madrid, we missed an opportunity. The players were disappointed because they knew we could have done more, despite a good performance.”

A thought on the reaction to Inter after the Champions League game: do you feel there is too much pressure being placed on this team? In Italy, Inter are widely seen as the team to beat, and that same perception seemed to carry into Europe despite the defeat in Madrid.

“It’s nothing new and we’re all used to it by now, so we don’t give it too much thought. What matters is what we do, the belief we have in ourselves and the work we put in every day. There have been opinions before and there will be more in the future, but that isn’t a problem. Everyone is free to have their say. Our responsibility is to focus on our own work and make sure we keep progressing in the right direction.”

Bergomi noted that Inter are one of the few teams in Europe to play with a back three. As a player, you won everything in a 4-2-3-1. What is your view of the team’s system?

“I think formations are only part of the picture. I try not to focus too much on the starting shape, but rather on how a team interprets the game. Some sides line up in a 4-2-3-1 and then defend with five or six players by dropping the wingers deeper. What matters is how you manage the different phases: whether you defend with a high or low line, how you play out of pressure and the intensity you bring at certain points in the game. What interests me most is what each player does individually to improve the team’s defensive organisation, rather than simply looking at one attacking or defensive shape. A 4-2-3-1 can become a 4-1-4-1 in possession, and there are countless variations. A lot depends on the type of players you have and how much you can adapt things to suit their technical qualities. Fortunately, we have a tactically intelligent squad capable of interpreting the game in different ways. In the end, what matters is how we respond to the different situations a match presents.”

A year has passed since last season’s home game against Udinese. Where do you feel the team has made the biggest strides, and what are you still looking to improve?

“The clearest difference is that we now have two more trophies, and that is significant. I think it’s important to remember where we started: last season, we went into our second league game and lost at home. A year on, we’re Italian champions and Coppa Italia winners, so there has clearly been real progress. At the same time, we’re still working to add new elements to the way we play. There is always room to improve, the players are fully aware of that and they’re putting a lot into carrying out what we ask of them.”

Çalhanoğlu has started three of the four games so far, but has not played more than 65 minutes in any of them. Is his workload being managed to protect him from injury, or is he still building toward full fitness?

“Hakan went to the Club World Cup carrying an injury after missing the final games of last season. His last appearance had come in the Coppa Italia semifinal, when he scored twice, before he sat out the remainder of the campaign and then went to the tournament with that issue still lingering. He played two matches there and also missed the opening part of preseason. Our priority is to make sure every player is in the best possible condition to perform at their highest level.”

Perhaps it was a surprise to see Diouf start in Madrid, but he showed that he’s in excellent shape. Are you trying to give him as many minutes as possible to understand how to get the best out of him and what his role could look like going forward?

“I’m trying to put the entire squad in the best possible position to perform. With Diouf, the aim is to take him from 60 minutes at a very high level to 80, because a player with his qualities can be even more valuable to us if he can sustain that level for longer. Whenever he sees space, he looks to take players on and create an overload. He can force the opposition defensive line deeper because he’s difficult to deal with without bringing over a second defender. He gives us another option. There will be games when we ask for something different on that side, but we’re very pleased with the way he has applied himself, the work he has put in and the progress he’s making.”

On refereeing standards: yesterday we saw the first two penalties awarded after 32 matches. You’ve already said you like the current approach. Do you still feel the same, and where do you think referees can improve?

“I’m happy with the way games are being officiated. When VAR intervenes less, the intensity and flow of the game improve. Restarting play quickly after just a few seconds helps maintain the tempo and cuts down on time-wasting. Players also spend less time on the ground, and I like that. Everyone knows that if they stay down, they risk having to leave the pitch for a minute and leaving their team with ten men. When it comes to penalties, there are situations where it’s right for VAR to step in and help the referee, but the more the game is allowed to flow, the better. I like the approach of giving the referee more control over the game and more responsibility. I’d also like to see a little more dialogue with the players, although I understand the amount of pressure referees are under.”

Is Dimarco fully fit for tomorrow’s game? And where is Spence in his recovery?

“Dimarco trained with the group today and is available. Spence, meanwhile, is still working his way back to full fitness. I’ll name the squad tomorrow, and then you’ll see who is available.”