Fabio Capello has hailed Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu for turning the team’s fortunes around after last season’s heartbreak.Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInter1908, Capello also ...
Fabio Capello has hailed Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu for turning the team’s fortunes around after last season’s heartbreak.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInter1908, Capello also addressed Francesco Pio Esposito’s rapid rise to stardom.
It’s a new dawn at San Siro.
Furthermore, the 44-year-old inherited a squad bereft of confidence following a thumping defeat in the Champions League final.
However, the Romanian tactician has helped the Nerazzurri recover from a series of bad beats toward the end of last season.
Furthermore, he has changed the team’s approach on the field, making Inter look more aggressive and dangerous in attack.
Therefore, he has quickly gained recognition for his excellent work at Giuseppe Meazza.
Indeed, Chivu has defied his lack of experience in senior management, earning praise for his tactical acumen.
Fabio Capello Draws Comparison Between Chivu & Gasperini
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale, gestures during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Inter will take on Roma this Saturday, with Gian Piero Gasperini sitting in the other dugout.
“Each of the two managers interprets pressing in their own way,” Fabio Capello admitted. “Gasperini applies it all over the pitch.
“His man-to-man marking is a trademark that has allowed him to achieve great success with Atalanta and now with Roma.
“Chivu moves in a similar direction, but less extreme, let’s say.
“High pressing and immediate regaining of possession allow his Inter to create superiority in attack as soon as they recover the ball.
“But, defensively, the team risks less.
“More than in the style of play, however, I find that Gasp and Chivu are similar from another perspective.
“Personality: both are able to get into the players’ heads with great ease.”
Fabio Capello Heaps Praise on Inter Milan Boss Chivu
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 20: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano attends a press conference ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
“Gasp has been on the bench for a lifetime,” Capello continued. “He even coached Chivu, and he arrived at Roma at 67.
“Chivu, before becoming Inter’s coach, had experience with the Nerazzurri Primavera and a handful of Serie A matches with Parma.
“Many considered Inter’s choice a risky bet, but not me.
“Do you know why? Because certain qualities don’t need a long apprenticeship. In this sense, I see myself in Chivu.
“Even I, before coaching Milan, had only worked in the youth sector and found myself leading a group of champions who had won everything.
“There are two fundamental concepts. First – tactical changes are fine because it is right for the coach to leave his mark, as long as he doesn’t overdo it.
“The locker room of a top team must be handled with extreme care, sensitivity, and tactical intelligence, and Chivu is doing that at Inter.
“He has tweaked things without overturning them; he has asked for simple things because you can’t suddenly demand the moon from players like Lautaro, Bastoni, and Barella.
“Second – work on the players’ mindset and convince them that Inter’s cycle is not over, that they still have a lot to give.
“It is no coincidence that Inter today seems reborn.”
Capello Addresses Chivu’s Man-Management Skills & Pio Esposito
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Francesco Pio Esposito of Internazionale warms up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I read Mkhitaryan’s words in Gazzetta,” Capello continued. “Discovering the lineup three hours before kickoff is not something to like or dislike, it must simply be accepted.
“This is the perfect example of a coach getting the right responses from the team because he has pressed the right buttons.
“It’s called respect for the work, and it seems to me that in Chivu’s Inter, this is not lacking.”
Meanwhile, Francesco Pio Esposito is making strides in Italian football.
The teenage striker has become one of Europe’s hottest prospects under Chivu.
“Look, I won’t even let you finish the question, and I’ll go straight to the point,” Capello was adamant. “Pio Esposito is a national treasure and an asset that Inter must hold onto.
“Just watch him play, and the picture is very clear.
“He sees the game, moves wonderfully, and has the attributes of a true center-forward.
“Maybe he’s still a little too selfless, but he has plenty of time to improve. And if he continues this pace…
“Saturday, in Rome, I would start him alongside Lautaro.”
Finally, he gave his prediction for the game.
“Beautiful, exciting, with the wings making the difference: Soulé on one side, Dimarco on the other,” Capello finished.
Category: General Sports
