Inter going in the right direction under Chivu, says assistant Kolarov – Soccer News

Aleksandar Kolarov believes Cristian Chivu has bought Inter shifting in the precise route forward of his first return to former membership Parma on Wednesday.

Chivu joined the Nerazzurri from Parma again in June and has since guided Inter to the highest of the Serie A desk, with their newest victory seeing them down Bologna on dwelling soil.

Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram have been all heading in the right direction Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in what was big consequence, after seeing title rivals AC Milan and Napoli additionally win.

Inter are the robust favourites to carry the Scudetto in 2025-26, profitable 59.6% of the Opta supercomputer’s season simulations, with defending champions Napoli second (21.8%).

Chivu’s arrival on the membership was due to his profitable mentality as a participant, with Inter having narrowly missed out on a number of main honours throughout final season.

They completed as runners-up within the Supercoppa Italiana and the Champions League, whereas additionally being dumped out of the Coppa Italia semi-finals and ending second in Serie A.

“We didn’t wish to rework Inter, however slightly add issues. The crew got here so near profitable many trophies final season and sadly simply missed out,” Kolarov stated.

“We pressed a number of buttons and labored on the coaching area, I believe the squad goes in the precise route.

“As soon as the second half of the season begins, it’s a really completely different state of affairs, so we’re prime of the desk and wish to keep there. It will take lots of arduous work.”

Kolarov was on media duties after their win over Bologna final weekend as a result of Chivu had misplaced his voice through the encounter, regardless of his facet working out snug winners.

Former boss Simone Inzaghi famously missed a number of post-match interviews as a result of he misplaced his voice by shouting on the touchline.

And Kolarov conceded that his post-match tasks might be heightened because the season progresses.

“Chivu appears very calm, however he’s actually not! I believe Cristian may even shout extra,” confessed Kolarov.

“Having stated that, I used to be not as shut on the bench with Inzaghi as I used to be with Chivu, so it’d simply be the gap.”

Parma discover themselves down in 14th within the standings, however have misplaced simply considered one of their final 4 league matches (W2 D1) and will probably be hoping to trigger an upset right here.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Parma – Mateo Pellegrino

Following an help in opposition to Fiorentina and a aim in opposition to Sassuolo, Mateo Pellegrino might grow to be the primary participant to be concerned in at the very least one aim in three consecutive Serie A matches for Parma since Dejan Kulusevski did so in July 2020 (in opposition to Napoli, Brescia and Atalanta).

The final Argentinian participant to attain this feat was Hernan Crespo, between November and December 2010 (in opposition to Lazio, Inter and Udinese).

Inter – Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez has scored in 5 consecutive Serie A appearances for Inter for the primary time since between December 2023 and January 2024.

The final Nerazzurri participant to attain in six successive Serie A matches was Julio Cruz, who managed to take action between October and December 2007 (seven objectives in that run).

7 – Solo Alessandro Altobelli (otto), Giuseppe Meazza e Benito Lorenzi (nove entrambi) contano più campionati diversi con almeno 10 gol all’attivo nella storia dell’#Inter rispetto a #LautaroMartínez (sette – 10 gol nella #SerieA in corso). Implacabile. pic.twitter.com/KLWXB4k399

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 4, 2026

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER WIN

Inter are unbeaten of their final seven Serie A matches in opposition to Parma (W4 D3) however have by no means gone eight consecutive league video games with out defeat in opposition to them. Parma’s final top-flight victory in opposition to the Nerazzurri dates again to fifteen September 2018.

However after their 2-2 draw of their most up-to-date encounter on 5 April, Parma and Inter might draw two Serie A matches in a row for the primary time since between September 2004 and February 2005 (when each video games additionally ended 2-2).

However Chivu’s facet arrive at Stadio Ennio Tardini with confidence. They’ve gained six of their eight away video games in Serie A this season (L2) and will safe at the very least seven wins of their first 9 away league matches of a marketing campaign for the fifth time of their historical past.

Parma might, nonetheless, go three video games unbeaten in Serie A for the primary time beneath Carlos Cuesta. The final time they registered an extended unbeaten run within the top-flight was between March and April, beneath now Inter boss Chivu (W1 D6).

And following their final dwelling win (1-0 vs Fiorentina), Parma might additionally safe back-to-back dwelling victories in Serie A for the primary time since January 2020, once they defeated Lecce and Udinese beneath Roberto D’Aversa.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Parma – 14.5%

Draw – 19.5%

Inter – 65.9%