Cristian Chivu pushes Inter Milan squad to their physical limits

Gruelling training days at Inter Milan: heavy legs, exhausted players, and a coach who's making his mark

Gruelling training days, players worn out by intense work, and heavy legs. Cristian Chivu, together with his staff, is definitely making his presence felt at Appiano Gentile during these pre-season preparations. 

Compared to the previous management under Inzaghi, reports La Gazzetta via Fcinter1908, the Inter Milan coach is determined to prevent the physical drop-offs that plagued the team last season.

"The Romanian coach only stopped playing the day before yesterday," writes the paper, "and for this reason, he understands what it means to be drained by summer sprints. 

But he also knows how to be a strong leader: he’s defined himself as a ‘democratic dictator’, and his players already know exactly why."

In full agreement with the management that chose him, Chivu intends to ensure the engine doesn’t stall just when things matter most — as happened in last season’s heartbreaking campaign, teetering between ultimate glory and the depths of disappointment.

Chivu’s style echoes early Conte era and the demands of a true leader

As we await the real test, many within the walls of the Pinetina training ground are already making comparisons to a demanding past: it feels like a return to the punishing early days of Antonio Conte — the marine version, the drill sergeant of training sessions — when fitness wizard Antonio Pintus was the one to light the fire in the players’ legs.