Cristi Chivu has conquered his first trophy as a coach on Inter’s bench, the great Scudetto, the 21st trophy of this kind for the Nerazzurri.
The Romanian, former captain as a player at Roma, Ajax, and Inter, appeared on the cover of Sport Week magazine, a weekly publication belonging to the famous pink newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, where his activity and evolution as a coach from game to game are praised and even lauded.
"The change brought by Chivu was real, visible, and progressive. The Romanian emperor, with a tough character but having great empathy with the group, has relaunched the Nerazzurri," praised Gazzetta dello Sport.
After Inter was at rock bottom at the end of the previous season, when they lost the Champions League final to PSG 0-5, as well as the title in the last matchday to Napoli, Chivu knew what to bring innovatively to Inter's game, but also what to change in the locker room psychology:
"Inter, 21 beauties. The Scudetto is his. The symbol of the Nerazzurri, right at the beginning on Inter's bench, and immediately victorious. Cristian has repaired the broken hearts of Inter.
Who is this Cristian Chivu really, this predestined one who rocks under the Curva Nord, holding a gigantic tricolor with the number 21 written on it? He is a former left-handed champion. A survivor of death. A hero of the Treble.
An innovator in the game and a fine locker room psychologist. A character as harsh as sandpaper, but generous, ready for great achievements. A Romanian with an Italian heart and a citizen of the world. Now, more than anything else, he is the champion of Italy.
He can be described with a few key words, but ultimately ten will be enough." And the Italians named them, in order, like in a puzzle: Before, Change, Helmet, Height, Football, Pockets, Cigarette, Staff, Crap, Age."
In the same extensive material, the Italians concluded with a culinary challenge for the Romanian born in Reșița: "Champions know they must roll up their sleeves and suffer humiliations, not just tread in filth. Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and accept to chew on it as well. The kitsch image, presented once again during the Club World Cup, has become another political statement: Chivu's reality is like his communication, unfiltered, without linguistic or conceptual sweeteners. He has always believed that only by overcoming difficulties can something solid be built.
But, dear Chivu, wouldn't it be better to just chew on a good sarma? It's the national dish of Romanians, made from cabbage, minced meat, rice, and spices."
Inter has won the title for the 21st time in Italy, in Chivu's first season on the bench.
D.A.