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Christian Chivu spoke at the press conference presenting him as the coach of Inter. In Los Angeles, the debut against Monterrey is just a few days away.

It was the first time in front of the press for the new Inter coach, who talked about his new role and the debut match in the 2025 Club World Cup.

Inter, Chivu and Marotta’s Words

President Giuseppe Marotta speaks: “I am pleased to introduce Cristian Chivu here by my side. Football burns everything with ease. We gave a lot to Simone Inzaghi, and he gave a lot to us. After years, however, we reached a consensual divorce and parted ways very well. He was a key player in our journey. We immediately had to find a solution. With great speed, Ausilio, Baccin, and I identified Chivu as the suitable profile. It’s not at all a fallback, there was no confusion in the club.

There were bureaucratic aspects that needed to be defined, and I thank Parma for helping us. Chivu is not new because he was a great player at Inter in terms of results and prestige. This is a different role. We appreciated his qualities, and he convinced us as a profile, as well as the style of football proposed at Parma. We will proudly participate in all competitions next year. We have the ambition to win. There is bitterness for the tremendous result in the Champions League final, but making two finals is extraordinary. In the end, it went wrong, but we were there.”

“We will look ahead and learn from it. With Cristian, we will have the opportunity to bounce back. The under 23 is also an innovation and fully embraces our company model. We will also look for young profiles; two have already arrived, and others have returned to the parent company.

We are confident that by entrusting Chivu with responsibility, he will be able to carry forward our project with a sense of belonging and work culture. We are here at this press conference in an unprecedented way, but if we are here, Inter is one of the strongest teams in the world. Our presence is not that of a walk-on. The situation is difficult for a grueling season, but Chivu will identify the right men.”

Milan, Italy. 25th November 2020. Giuseppe Marotta CEO of FC Internazionale during Uefa Champions League Group B match between FC Internazionale and Real Madrid FC.

Cristian Chivu speaks

Emotionally, have you already realized that you are the coach of Inter?
“I had already done it in the youth teams. Coming here is a big sense of responsibility that I want to carry forward, the same I had when I came here as a player. It’s been almost 13 years now, except for a break when I was not here.”

Have the Treble players written something to you?
“We have an ongoing chat. The group is still going strong, even now and for life. I was pleased to see Maicon and all the messages. There were also special dedications that remain private.”

Marotta spoke of a sense of courage in the choice, what does it mean?
“Courage is everyone’s, President Marotta has a sense of belonging. Inter is one of the strongest teams in Europe, as the results show. We need to continue the good work that has been done; then we can win or lose. What matters is the work and carrying it forward.”

How important is it to do well in this competition?
“We must be aware that a team like Inter needs this attitude and these ambitions. The bar has been raised, and we need to continue on this path to keep the team and the company there.”

How are you dealing with the situation coming in midstream?
“This is what Inter must do in such a competition. There are 32 teams, and it’s the first time, and everyone wants to do well. The competition is still part of the old season, but we are here to do our best.”

SIMONE INZAGHI PENSIEROSO (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

How do you make decisions in such a short time?
“I have known the team and the company for a long time, since the youth teams. For me, there is no problem; I know the human qualities in the locker room. What I’m trying to tell them is that the path they have taken is fantastic. They must not forget all of this.”

How will you use Mkhitaryan this season considering his age?
“Age doesn’t matter, but human qualities do. Identity cards don’t matter in football. It’s not fair to talk about Mkhitaryan’s age because what he has shown, even in training, cannot be questioned. I hope he finds the same energy. For me, this is what matters. What’s important is working hard for the team, the fans, and the company.”

What do you know about Monterrey?
“We have already started studying the opponent and preparing ourselves. The match is in three days, and we respect all teams because in this competition, there are the best 32 teams in the world, and everyone wants to do well.”

Can you tell us about the days that led you to Inter? Did you talk to Inzaghi?
“My intention was to continue at Parma, then Inter asked to meet me, and I said to call Parma’s AD Cherubini out of respect. When Inter calls, it’s a matter of pride and honor. What happened in those days matters little. I have always had a good relationship with Inzaghi since the under 19s. I had called him only to wish him well when I found out he would no longer be coaching Inter.”

How do you recharge the team?
“We must start from the path the team has taken. You can’t judge just by the trophies. You must not lose sight of the fact that the duty of a team and a coach is to always give everything. For me, it’s not a failed season. Before the final, there was talk of a team that had eliminated Bayern Munich and Barcelona. This should not be forgotten. Failure in football does not exist. It only exists when we start finding excuses and alibis. In these days with them, it didn’t seem to me that the players were looking for culprits.”

What is your opinion of Monterrey’s coach and players Ramos and Canales?
“I know the coach for his career since he was with Guardiola. I have great respect for all the players and coaches who are here. The players you mentioned are important, and everyone knows what they have achieved.”

INTER LINEUP (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

Have you already discussed goals with the team?
“The season is not over, and we must carry the name of Inter around the world. We are here to do our best and achieve something important.”

In Serie A, you will find coaches who have won a lot, is that an additional stimulus?
“My thought is now on the Club World Cup, and I have to restore confidence and self-esteem to these wonderful guys. Then we will talk about the rest later, and that’s right.”

What can Chivu give to Inter?
“From a human point of view, everything I have. Respect, gratitude, character. This shirt has stayed with me. From a professional point of view, you have to decide. Humanly, I will give everything I have.”

How do you help the team absorb the trauma of Monaco? Did Mourinho write to you?
“Losing a Champions League final hurts. I remember thinking about losing it. I told the guys not to forget the journey. A company and a team like Inter have an obligation to aspire to important things. Respect for the emblem and what it represents worldwide must be maintained. The bar must be kept high. Yes, I spoke with Mourinho.”

What do you think of Monterrey and Mexican clubs? What do you think of Vasquez?
“I have respect for Mexican football and all the teams. Great investments have been made to raise the level of competition. Football is becoming globalized; it also happens in Asia, for example. For Vasquez, it’s a nice achievement to be where he is.”

NICOLO BARELLA PERPLEXED (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

How do you approach this competition when the teams don’t all know each other?
“This is a beautiful and fascinating competition. You find teams that may be carefree, our team also has a certain experience, and it seems to me that we also have international players. We are ready to play.”

What impression did you have as a debutant coach in Serie A?
“I did my best to achieve the goal that Parma asked of me. Regarding what I experienced, it was intense, and achieving the goal was great. Along the way, you learn to instill trust in the group and work, move forward, and hide some flaws. It’s not like being on the armchair or sofa. You should not complain.”

What strengths and weaknesses have you identified in Monterrey?
“They have a vertical game, based on possession, we will see on Tuesday.”

Then the announcement of the coaching staff, these are Chivu’s words: “My assistant will be Aleksandar Kolarov, whom you all know, Mario Cecchi remains as a technical collaborator, along with Angelo Palombo. As athletic trainers, we have Stefano Rapetti and Maurizio Fanchini. Goalkeeping coach: Gianluca Spinelli remains, and Paolo Orlandoni is added. It’s a competitive staff, made up of people who are of high quality humanly, have a certain professional experience, and I am sure we will do great things together.”