Chivu: ‘The first game of the season is always the most important’ | OneFootball

Cristian Chivu believes that Inter have prepared to the best of their ability with the limited time available to them this summer, but has made it clear to his players that winning the first game of the season ‘is always the most important’.

The Nerazzurri will get their 2025-26 Serie A campaign underway with a visit from Marco Baroni and Torino on Monday evening, kicking off at 19.45 BST.

Torino will be Chivu’s first Serie A match in charge of his former club after replacing Simone Inzaghi at the beginning of the summer. It is a fresh start for the squad, who finished the 2024-25 campaign in second place, losing out on the title to Napoli in the final round of the season.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Cristian Chivu Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano reacts after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“We’ve worked hard with a short and intense period of preparation,” Chivu told the media during his pre-match press conference on Sunday (via TMW).

“The players applied themselves and worked hard. We’re a work in progress and we always want to improve both individually and collectively.”

Chivu on Inter’s summer transfer window: ‘We’ve been consistent’

Asked how the transfer window has gone for Inter, who have brought in Ange-Yoan Bonny, Petar Sucic, Luis Henrique and most recently Andy Diouf, Chivu said: “The window has always been about targets, we had some names, but some clubs decided not to sell, as happened with us.

Andy Diouf with the Inter trophy cabinet (@inter)

“We’ve been consistent with the club’s philosophy by choosing good, young players who are ready to play for Inter.”

Chivu believes, however, that there is little point in arguing over the timing of the transfer window, or whether it should be closed before the start of the league campaign.

“What us coaches think doesn’t matter much because they are the rules set out by FIFA and UEFA,” he said.

“We all want to be calm and have everything in place ,but we also have to manage these moments while considering the thoughts of the players. We can’t decide. It’d be better to start the season with a clear future of the squad in place, but this is also part of the game.”

Asked if he thinks that Inter are favourites for the Serie A title this season, Chivu replied: “I agree with Allegri when he says that the winner of the last championship starts as the favourite. Also judging by what they’ve spent on the market.”

Chivu on Torino and lessons from 2010

And what does Chivu hope to use from his experiences as a Nerazzurri player during the treble-winning 2009-10 campaign?

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Coutinho, Cristian Chivu and Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan celebrates after the first goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between FC Internazionale Milano and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 20, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

“A bit of character and spirit, making them understand certain moments within a season, the good and the bad, by managing everything. Speaking of Inter in 2010, there was a match in Kiev where we were almost eliminated, for example. You have to manage the moments of a season.

“We’ve worked hard and when you are honest with the work that you’ve done, you don’t have to fear anything. We always try to give our best and achieve our goals. Mentality is important, and when you have a goal to achieve, I would say that the first game of the season is always the most important one.

“I’m proud to be the coach of Inter. I’m calm and I’ve learned that when you spend time on growing and improving, things are more simple. I couldn’t wait for the start of the season. We all prefer to be playing. We’re happy to start and we’re calm and motivated. What happens on the pitch will show us how we’re doing.”

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

And on what he expects to see from Torino in their meeting in San Siro on Monday, Chivu said: “They’ve changed coach but the structure remains the same. There’s always an unknown with a new coach, but knocking Baroni, whom I respect a lot, I expect Torino to come and play their game.

“On paper, they have nothing to lose and it is a structured and healthy team.”