MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Inter Milan head coach Christian Chivu watches the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Udinese at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Inter Milan coach Christian Chivu admits games like the 5-3 draw against Udinese are necessary risks in modern Serie A football. “I’ve never seen a perfect team.”
It was another chaotic game for the Nerazzurri, who trailed 2-0 at home for the second consecutive Serie A game.
They beat Napoli 3-2 last time out and beat Udinese 5-3 tonight with eight different goalscorers.
It showed the sheer strength of the Italian champions, but also how vulnerable they can be if they are not fully focused following their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in midweek.
Chivu admits risk for Inter Milan
“These are our qualities and what we know how to do. We can score a lot of goals and maintain a high level, so apart from the first 25 minutes where we did try to do certain things without the proper energy and Udinese did a good job of taking full advantage of our attitude, we also did a good job of reacting.” Chivu told Sky Sports Italia.
“We stayed in the game and didn’t want to lose, and I’m happy with that. I also need to analyze what didn’t work and what I might not have been able to convey to the team. I did expect that because the Champions League does drain your energy.”
This is the fourth time that Inter Milan has scored at least 5 goals in Serie A in 2026, fewer than Bayern Munich only in the top five European leagues, and they have become the top scorer of the Italian team this season with 14 goals.
On the other hand, the number of goals they conceded is also surprising, eight goals conceded in four games. Is Chivu worried?
“I wouldn’t be a coach if I didn’t say I was worried. This is modern football, there is a lot of intensity, our opponents are playing against us and I like that way of playing, even if it does mean taking risks.”
“I loved the 2-2 goal, which was triggered by winning the ball back quickly. We are not perfect and we know we still have a lot of work to do and areas to improve.”
Inter lost at home to Udinese in Week 2 last season, so how has it improved or collapsed since then?
“Within a year we were all old… we lost that game and couldn’t turn it around, so things changed,” Chivu said with a smile.
“It’s too easy to say we’ve added two trophies since then, and even if that’s true, it doesn’t matter anymore because it’s in the past and it’s a new season. We’ve got six more points after four rounds, so we’re trying to improve without losing our identity.”
The comeback came despite Lautaro Martinez being rested and Hakan Calhanoglu and Jed Spence missing injured, but John Stones limped off just an hour into his start for the club.
“Our goal is to add new elements and improve the rotation options in order to maintain the importance of everyone. I saw Mkhitaryan from the beginning, Bonnie scored and I was happy, Stankovic also managed to get some playing time.
“I was a little worried about not playing against Susic and Biesek today, but because the club has put together such a good squad, it worries me about having to choose the starting lineup. We have more options and depth.”
Inter face Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma in a Serie A title showdown at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, with both teams holding a 100% record after four games.
“As a player and coach, I have never seen a perfect football team. We have to try to be the best we can and maintain our identity because of our values and principles, both tactically and humanly. That’s the way I like it, but in some games it works better than others and that’s the sport.
“Finding the right balance is key, doing certain things without losing the identity of this group. There are some players who have not played a full pre-season and need to maintain their fitness and we are trying to get them all playing to help that process. We know the risks involved.
“Obviously it’s a big game before the long international break and I think I’ll only have about three players left to train by then.”