Inter Milan coach Christian Chivu is not interested in stirring up controversy at Napoli and Antonio Conte and “has faith” in Stefan de Vrij and Davide Fratesi: “They will have a lot of games.”
Chivu held a press conference on the eve of their Serie A match against Bologna at the San Siro on Saturday.
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Just a few weeks ago, Bologna defeated Inter Milan on penalties in the Italian Super Cup semi-finals.
Inter Milan vs. Bologna – Chivu’s pre-match press conference
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Inter Milan head coach Christian Chivu watches before kick-off of the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Inter Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simon Avida/Getty Images)
“We knew it was a tricky game against a team that puts everyone in trouble because of their character and intensity,” Chivu said, via La Gazzetta dello Sport .
“Bologna will put obstacles in your way even in simple situations. They have strong back-footed wingers and a physical midfield. They also know how to mark, they have legs, good timing and determination. Even if you overcome the first pressure, a lot of them will track back, so we need to be careful and do better with a strong sense of responsibility.
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“I like it when my players show courage and take the risk of fouling to win the ball back.”
Napoli boss Antonio Conte tried to put pressure on the Nerazzurri last week, saying Inter, Milan and Juventus had better infrastructure than the reigning Serie A champions, who are still far from Serie A’s elite clubs.
“The way I’ve always looked at football, as a player and as a coach, words and controversies are things outside the game that lead to nothing. They don’t affect the final result; they serve no purpose,” Chivu said.
“They have little influence except at a media level and have nothing to do with the sport, which should remain as it is. Personally, I laugh when people talk about so many things that have nothing to do with reality; they actually make me focus more on my job. Let’s just say that there are currently five teams competing for the Serie A title and the difference is very small.”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – SEPTEMBER 13: João Cancelo of Al-Hilal FC warms up before the Saudi Professional League match between Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah at Kingdom Arena on September 13, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
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Inter Milan are in talks with Al Hilal to sign Joao Cancelo, with De Vrij and Fratesi likely to leave this month as they look for more playing time, multiple sources claim.
However, Chivu declined to provide an update on the transfer of Cancelo, who already played for Inter Milan in the 2017-18 season.
“I talk about Luis Enrique, Diouf, Dumfries and Darmian. I prefer to focus on them and the truth,” the Inter boss said.
As for De Vrij and Fratsi, he added: “I’m not afraid of anything; I believe in their professionalism; they are the ones responsible for what happens. They are the two who have played the least. For Davide it is for physical reasons and for Stefan it is for technical reasons, but they will have a lot of opportunities to play.”
