Inter resumed their Serie A campaign with a composed 3-0 victory over Parma, returning from the international break with the energy and control Cristian Chivu had hoped to see after an unusual interruption to the season.
Chivu said the three-week pause, longer than any Inter had faced so far this term, had created an element of uncertainty around the players’ condition and rhythm. Yet the work done during the break had encouraged him, and the response against Parma reflected it. “We did not know exactly how the group would react after three weeks without competitive football,” he said. “But they trained with commitment and enthusiasm. I am pleased with the intensity and quality we showed.”
Parma presented another variable, with Inter having limited certainty over how their visitors would approach the match. Chivu felt his side adjusted quickly, while the evening also gave him a chance to distribute minutes across the squad. Players who had been short of match action were involved, allowing others returning from international duty with heavier workloads to recover.
Pio Esposito was among those to earn particular praise from the coach. Chivu described the forward as a selfless player whose work for the collective stands out, especially when possession is lost. “Selfishness is not part of his vocabulary,” Chivu said. “He works for the side and does it well. What struck me was his reaction after losing the ball: he immediately tried to win it back.” The Inter coach added that Esposito still has room to develop, but stressed that his commitment is recognised within the dressing room and that he will continue to be important to the group.
Carlos Augusto also received warm words after the win. Chivu pointed to the Brazilian’s physical strength, the force he brings to individual contests and his willingness to support attacks through overlapping runs. He also highlighted Carlos Augusto’s ability to strike from distance with either foot, saying Inter are pleased to have those qualities available.
Federico Dimarco, meanwhile, was portrayed as a player who thrives on the demands of Inter’s game. Chivu noted his desire to deliver crosses, recover inside his own penalty area and react aggressively in the moments after the ball is lost. In the coach’s view, Dimarco is among the quickest in the squad to understand what is required in the transition back towards his own goal.
The 3-0 result therefore carried more than three points. After a long pause in the calendar, Inter found their rhythm again, rotated where necessary and received encouraging answers from players whose roles may become increasingly relevant as the season moves into its next stretch.
