Inter President Beppe Marotta insists they are not that ‘pleasantly surprised’ by Cristian Chivu ahead of tonight’s clash with Juventus, as it was not a decision they made ‘lightly.’
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.
The last few editions of the Derby d’Italia have been thrilling battles, including a 4-4 draw last season and 4-3 Juve victory back in September 2025.
The Nerazzurri are on extraordinary form, winning 11 of the last 12 Serie A games interrupted only a 2-2 draw with Napoli.
Inter had faith in relative newcomer Chivu
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 20: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu interacts with Petar Sucic of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on January 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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“It can confirm our recent excellent results and maintain momentum going forward in a tough season. We are also aware that we’re against a strong opponent, and are hoping for a positive result,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
“We knew this was a strong team, the performance in Turin was very positive until some late incidents. We always looked more to the performances than the results, and in that sense have seen real progress building on solid foundations.”
Chivu was a bit of a surprise in taking over from Simone Inzaghi last summer with just days to go before the Club World Cup, but he had flourished.
PISA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A match between Pisa SC and FC Internazionale at Arena Garibaldi on November 30, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
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“We didn’t choose Chivu lightly, we pondered it considering the man we had known, the coach he had become, and the player that he was. We didn’t need to think of other candidates, we went straight for him,” assured Marotta.
“Some might be pleasantly surprised by him, but we already expected him to be a protagonist in the world of coaches.”
Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu returned to the squad after several weeks out, so the only remaining absentee is Denzel Dumfries, and he too has been participating in partial training sessions.
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Lautaro Martinez of Inter (right) celebrates with his team-mate Nicolò Barella after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
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“Last season’s experience helped us to realise that we must try to achieve the maximum result in every competition. We are still in all three tournaments and we want to go all the way, but in modern football it’s not just about keeping physical freshness, but psychological too.
“This is why the coach rotates the squad and uses everyone in a very intelligent way,” concluded the Inter President.
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