‘Inter can improve without buying new players’ after launching youth in 2-1 victory

MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, appears on previous to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Last match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Energy Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)

Cristian Chivu provides credit score to the Inter youth academy for offering contemporary expertise in tonight’s Coppa Italia win over Torino. ‘You may enhance a squad with out shopping for new gamers.’

The Nerazzurri didn’t maintain again with squad rotation, together with full debuts for youth crew gamers Matteo Cocchi and Issiaka Kamate, the latter offering an help for the Ange-Yoan Bonny header.

Andy Diouf added a second straight after the restart, and Torino obtained one again by means of Sandro Kulenovic to arrange a tense finale, however Matteo Prati’s potential equaliser was flagged offside.

Chivu happy with experimental Inter facet

“I’m not a journalist, nor do I play fantasy soccer, so I gained’t give participant scores,” joked Chivu on Sport Mediaset.

“I’m happy with the efficiency, the power that we would have liked in a match like this, and what we managed to create. Inevitably, when it will get to 2-1, then the opponent has a second wind and tries to journey that enthusiasm, however they didn’t trigger us that many issues.”

Inter didn’t even have house benefit this night in opposition to Torino, because it was performed on the U-Energy Stadium in Monza, as a result of San Siro is getting ready for Friday’s opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

“We all know who we’re coping with and the gamers we labored with. These are video games the place you want power and contemporary legs, so I selected the gamers who had power. Don’t overlook we had a busy January and can have an excellent busier February,” defined Chivu.

“I praise Cocchi and Kamate, but in addition wish to praise those that run the Inter youth academy, who labored with these lads over time. It’s Cocchi and Kamate at the moment, however I might additionally cite Bovo, Topalovic, Alexiou and Berenbruch.

“Stefano Vecchi is doing an ideal job as coach of the Beneath-23 facet, and these lads are enhancing, to allow them to be of use to us all through the season.”

Inter added no one to the squad in the course of the January switch window, regardless of the on-going Denzel Dumfries harm.

“You may enhance a squad even with out bringing in new gamers,” famous the coach.

“We tried to do one thing, however the January switch market may be very difficult. We had 23-24 gamers, seeing as Palacios left, however these nice lads from the Beneath-23 facet may give us a hand.”

The outcome means Inter will face both Napoli or Como within the Coppa Italia semi-final, which is the one stage of the match to be performed over two legs.

They’re additionally high of the Serie A desk, with solely Milan seemingly in any situation to maintain up the tempo, and can play Bodo/Glimt within the Champions League play-offs.

“We wish to be aggressive, to present a way of consistency to what has been carried out in recent times. We preserve going with perception, onerous work, good performances, at all times conscious that we will proceed to enhance,” famous Chivu.

That is the nineteenth time within the final 30 seasons that Inter have reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals, and their eighth consecutive victory over Torino.

The semi-final goes to be scheduled simply earlier than the Derby della Madonnina in Serie A, so might the additional pressure fear Inter, contemplating Milan at the moment are out of the Coppa Italia and had no European commitments?

“I’m by no means apprehensive, I like enjoying soccer, and as a participant I most popular it to coaching,” replied Chivu.

“Inter must not ever lack ambition, however that additionally should not be mistaken for obsession, as a result of excessive expectations can create disappointment.

“We work onerous to make sure we’re prepared, that’s what these lads have at all times carried out.”

“The longer term feels shiny for Inter.” 🔵⚫@ChrisWittyngham and @IFTVMarco talk about Cristian Chivu trusting youth and the impression it’s already having 💫 pic.twitter.com/gbGsU3pUed

— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 4, 2026

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