Soccer <\/p>\n
Cristian Chivu acknowledges Inter are the team to beat ahead of their opening Serie A match in 2026-27, but he believes the Nerazzurri can still improve following last season’s Scudetto triumph.<\/p>\n
Inter ran away with the title in their first campaign under Chivu in 2025-26, finishing 11 points clear of Napoli,\u00a0who were defending champions under Antonio Conte.<\/p>\n
They open the new season against Serie B play-off winners Monza on Saturday, and the Opta supercomputer rates their chances of retaining the title at a league-high 35.1%.<\/p>\n
Inter saw Denzel Dumfries join Real Madrid, while experienced defenders Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi also departed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But they have also been busy with their incomings, with Djed Spence, John Stones, Aleksandar Stankovic and Ivan Provedel all arriving,\u00a0while Manuel Akanji’s loan from Manchester City was made permanent.<\/p>\n
“We are aware that we are always the team to beat and no one will give us anything,” Chivu said on Friday. “We often talk about ambitions, and everyone starts from scratch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I am interested in our growth, without being satisfied with what we have done. We have room for improvement.”<\/p>\n
Chivu is also confident Inter will keep hold of club captain Lautaro Martinez, who was the leading scorer in Serie A last season with 17 goals, but has again been linked with a move to Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Asked about the Argentina international, who is available for Saturday’s game despite having a shortened pre-season following the World Cup, Chivu said: “I fear nothing, and I’m here to talk about Monza.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Lautaro is our captain, and there will still be a lot of talk about him. I hold him close, and I think he will stay with us for a long time.<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0day to go\u2026 \u00a0pic.twitter.com\/k1NiHCQqwC<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Inter \u00a0(@Inter_en) August 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
“The market is always like this, news comes out\u2026 It’s nice to talk about certain players because it means that they are recognised as great. Tomorrow, we’ll see how he is.”<\/p>\n
Chivu was also asked what different qualities Spence would bring to Inter’s backline, compared to the now-departed Dumfries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I find it unfair to make comparisons; I can say that I am pleased he has room for improvement,” Chivu said.<\/p>\n
“[Spence] has been part of a competitive group for years and that wants to do so in the future as well.”<\/p>\n
Monza finished third in Serie B last term before drawing 2-2 on aggregate with Catanzaro in the play-offs, with their superior position in the league seeing them promoted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
PLAYERS TO WATCH<\/strong><\/p>\n
Inter \u2013 Lautaro Martinez<\/strong><\/p>\n
With 132 Serie A goals to his name, Martinez is just one goal away from equalling Stefano Nyers (133) as the third-highest goalscorer for Inter in the competition, behind Giuseppe Meazza (197) and Benito Lorenzi (138).\u00a0<\/p>\n
He has scored five goals in six league games against Monza, including two braces, and also netted six goals in six matches against promoted sides in Serie A last season.<\/p>\n
\n= pic.twitter.com\/8Ze8n2tYcG<\/a><\/p>\n