Inter’s eve of the Fiorentina match will reflect Cristian Chivu’s usual faith in his players, even as the lunchtime kick-off has persuaded him to alter the routine. The squad will spend Saturday evening at Appiano Gentile, but only after being given the afternoon away from the training ground.
Chivu has generally resisted the traditional pre-match retreat, preferring to leave his players responsible for the hours they spend away from the pitch. Time at home and physical recovery carry real weight in his approach; a recovery day is not treated as a lesser part of the working week than a training session.
That principle remains in place before Fiorentina, despite the unusual arrangement. Training began at 11am, after which the group was released and several Inter players returned home. They are due back at La Pinetina for dinner at 7.30pm, followed by an overnight stay at the club’s training centre.
A solution for an early Sunday
The decision is shaped by the 12.30pm start against Fiorentina. With too little time for the customary morning call-up, Chivu has chosen to have his squad together from Saturday night so that the final hours of preparation can be organised more smoothly.
Breakfast on matchday will naturally resemble an early lunch, while the team is expected to leave Appiano at around 10.30am for the stadium. It is a practical adjustment to the demands of a Sunday lunchtime fixture rather than a change in Chivu’s wider thinking.
Inter will therefore arrive at the match after a split day: a morning on the training field, an afternoon with family and home routines, then a shared evening and night at the club base. For a coach who values trust and personal responsibility, it is a compromise that preserves some free time while bringing the group together when the early kick-off requires it.
