Chivu’s unusual strategy: rest, trust, and credibility before Napoli

The Inter Milan coach surprises everyone by choosing rest over extra training — a move that speaks volumes about his leadership

After Inter Milan’s Champions League victory, it was time for recovery — and rest. Yes, rest. Cristian Chivu decided to focus on today’s training to prepare for the upcoming clash, allowing his players to recharge both mentally and physically.

In Chivu’s rich Italian vocabulary — mastered with the ease of a native speaker — one word stands above all: credible. 

For him, credibility is the foundation of every success. “If you’re not credible,” he says, “you can’t be truly winning.” His Inter Milan must look credible on the field, especially in tough moments — just as he must be credible in front of his players.

That’s why Chivu’s decision to grant his squad a full day off before such an important match was both bold and symbolic. 

As La Gazzetta dello Sport via Fcinter1908 points out, giving a Thursday rest day before a Saturday game like Napoli-Inter Milan is something rarely seen. But Chivu’s Inter Milan feels calm and confident, with seven consecutive victories behind them — a sharp contrast to the tension brewing in Naples.

A modern touch: Chivu’s NFL-Inspired leadership style

Passionate about American sports, Chivu dreams of game preparations like in the NFL or NBA — where players are trusted and given responsibility. He believes rest and clarity matter more than endless training or superstitions.

So Inter Milan’s preparation for Napoli will be short but intense: just one focused session today, the first with the full squad after returning from Brussels. 

The staff, meanwhile, has analyzed Napoli’s key threats — from McTominay’s aerial power to Gilmour’s midfield errors under pressure. Yet no one wants to overcomplicate a game already full of tension.

History adds more spice: the last time Chivu and Conte faced each other, it ended in chaos — and two red cards. Two “credible” ones, as Gazzetta joked.