Inter resumed their Serie A campaign with the kind of afternoon Cristian Chivu would have wanted after an unusual three-week interruption: three goals inside the opening half-hour against Parma, three points secured, and the chance to protect legs before October brings another demanding run of matches.
A quick return after the break
- Inter approached the Parma fixture with uncertainty after three weeks without club football, a situation Chivu said the group had not previously faced.
- The team answered that doubt with an emphatic opening, scoring three times in the first 30 minutes and putting the result beyond immediate danger.
- With the match under control, Chivu was able to distribute minutes, giving opportunities to players who had featured less often while allowing several regulars to recover.
The coach credited the attitude shown by the squad during the pause, including the players returning from international duty. He was pleased with the energy and technical level displayed, and with how quickly Inter adjusted to an opponent about whom they had limited preparation material.
“The players worked well, with desire and enthusiasm,” Chivu said. “Those who came back from their national teams also made their contribution.”
Esposito earns Chivu’s praise
Pio Esposito was among the players singled out by the Inter coach. Chivu described the forward as selfless and committed to the collective, stressing that he does not carry the mentality of a player chasing individual reward.
What stood out most was Esposito’s response after losing possession. Chivu noted both the player’s defensive recovery work and his mental reaction, believing the youngster dealt well with difficult moments rather than withdrawing from the game.
Esposito still has room to develop, Chivu said, but his application has already earned recognition inside the dressing room. The coach sees him as a player who can continue to assist the side over the season, as he has done so far.
Options on the flanks
Chivu also reflected on the different qualities offered by Carlos Augusto and Federico Dimarco, two players capable of shaping Inter’s work from wide areas.
- Carlos Augusto has performed well for several years, whether used as a wing-back or in a back-three role.
- Chivu highlighted his strength, running power, willingness in duels and ability to overlap.
- The Brazilian’s shooting from distance, with either foot, was another quality underlined by the coach.
- Dimarco’s role can vary according to the opponent’s approach, particularly whether teams defend man-to-man.
- When given space, Dimarco can draw markers away; in other situations he looks to make a run beneath the striker.
For Chivu, Dimarco’s enjoyment of attacking remains evident. The Italian can arrive in the penalty area, finish moves from the right side as well as the left, and remains one of Inter’s strongest players in the immediate press after possession is lost and in short explosive runs.
The Parma win therefore offered more than a straightforward result. It gave Inter a controlled restart, confirmed the value of squad rotation, and sent Chivu into October with a group that had responded well after an unfamiliar break in the rhythm of the championship.
