Inter head coach Cristian Chivu has said his team selection for the Parma fixture will take into account how much work his players did during the international break, according to Sky Sport. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, reported on Friday, Chivu explained that the club cannot ignore the workload carried by those who featured for their countries. He added that the Parma game could be a chance to give minutes to players who have seen less action so far this season.
Chivu did not confirm whether goalkeeper Ivan Provedel would start, saying only that a decision would come the following day. He stated that Djed Spence is in the squad. Hakan Calhanoglu is also back available, and Chivu took responsibility for the midfielder not attending Turkey's match against Italy in person.
Why it matters
Inter return to domestic action after a break that scattered much of the squad across national teams, and Chivu's comments point to a rotation policy built around physical load rather than reputation alone. His remarks also push back at outside debate over the title race and at criticism directed at individual players, signalling that he wants the squad judged on collective work rather than fixed starting roles.
Chivu on managing minutes after the break
The coach said players are used to playing every three days and generally prefer matches to a full week of training. With a crowded run of fixtures ahead, he argued that the whole group will be needed, not just the regular starters.
Asked whether he had noticed any of his players used in different positions while away with their national teams, Chivu pointed to Andy Diouf, who he said impressed him at left-back even though Inter line up with a five-man defence. He praised Diouf for adapting, describing him as a little shy at first but noting that the midfielder has earned space at Inter by showing flexibility. Chivu said he likes players who do not lock themselves into one role and who understand that versatility helps them grow, adding that Diouf has now played two games for one of the strongest national teams alongside top-level teammates.
Defending Calhanoglu and Stankovic
Chivu was asked about recent comments from Zvonimir Boban and responded that everyone is entitled to an opinion, calling Boban a great figure and saying he understands the context in which those remarks were made, after a heavy defeat to England. He said Petar Stankovic was one of the three busiest midfielders last season and argued that the discussion should not be reduced to whether a player starts. Chivu said he values players who understand what they can offer coming off the bench. He noted that Stankovic was behind on fitness before the break after losing weeks of pre-season work because of the World Cup and the birth of his daughter, and asked that no unnecessary controversy be created. He said the staff are pleased with Stankovic's humility and the way he puts his qualities at the service of the group.
On Calhanoglu, Chivu said the midfielder has been training with the team for a week. He addressed reports from Turkey suggesting the player had not watched his national teammates face Italy in person, explaining that he himself decided not to send Calhanoglu to Bologna. Chivu said Monday's session was held late in the afternoon, it was Calhanoglu's first training back with the group, and he wanted the player available because he is too important to the side.
On the title race and a changing league
Chivu was asked whether the winner of Como against Roma would emerge as the main challenger to Inter. He rejected the framing, asking why the conversation always centres on an anti-Inter team and never on anti-Roma or anti-Como sides, and said it is premature to draw conclusions after five matchdays. He added that his players do not need reminding that they are expected to win, only that they must fight for everything.
On statistical shifts in the league, including more effective playing time and more young players, Chivu cautioned that two months is not enough to claim a system's problems are solved. He said the game is more dynamic, that the new rules discourage time-wasting, and that five extra minutes of effective time is significant and demands more energy. He noted that restarts after fouls and throw-ins are quicker and that everyone still has to adjust.
Regarding defensive balance, Chivu declined to single out Calhanoglu, saying he does not want to affect the confidence of other players. He stressed that everyone matters and that the team must hold its distances, win duels and press forward without the ball. He said the full squad has trained together only once, but that he has gone over past mistakes with many players by phone. Chivu identified room for improvement both in possession and defensively, from a low block to a higher line, and said the priority is not losing the team's integrity. He also said the side must add maturity in reading moments of games.
Chivu said Inter have learned not to underestimate anyone and must be at their best in every match, earning results on the pitch. Asked whether the team could field a back four with an attacking trio including Esposito, Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, he replied that principles of play matter more than formations, describing Inter as flexible and mobile rather than a table-football side. He said the team could use a back four if needed, though he is not sure it would suit a whole season.
Inter now turn to the Parma match, with Chivu's final lineup decisions — including in goal and in midfield — expected on matchday.
