Chivu: ‘Inter can improve without buying new players’ after launching youth

Cristian Chivu gives credit to the Inter youth academy for providing fresh talent in tonight’s Coppa Italia win over Torino. ‘You can improve a squad without buying new players.’

The Nerazzurri did not hold back with squad rotation, including full debuts for youth team players Matteo Cocchi and Issiaka Kamate, the latter providing an assist for the Ange-Yoan Bonny header.

Andy Diouf added a second straight after the restart, and Torino got one back through Sandro Kulenovic to set up a tense finale, but Matteo Prati’s potential equaliser was flagged offside.

“I am not a journalist, nor do I play fantasy football, so I won’t give player ratings,” joked Chivu on Sport Mediaset.

“I am satisfied with the performance, the energy that we needed in a match like this, and what we managed to create. Inevitably, when it gets to 2-1, then the opponent has a second wind and tries to ride that enthusiasm, but they didn’t cause us that many problems.”

Inter didn’t even have home advantage this evening against Torino, as it was played at the U-Power Stadium in Monza, because San Siro is preparing for Friday’s opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

“We know who we are dealing with and the players we worked with. These are games where you need energy and fresh legs, so I chose the players who had energy. Don’t forget we had a busy January and will have an even busier February,” explained Chivu.

“I compliment Cocchi and Kamate, but also want to compliment those who run the Inter youth academy, who worked with these lads over the years. It’s Cocchi and Kamate today, but I could also cite Bovo, Topalovic, Alexiou and Berenbruch.

“Stefano Vecchi is doing a great job as coach of the Under-23 side, and these lads are improving, so they can be of use to us throughout the season.”

Inter added nobody to the squad during the January transfer window, despite the on-going Denzel Dumfries injury.

“You can improve a squad even without bringing in new players,” noted the coach.

“We tried to do something, but the January transfer market is very tricky. We had 23-24 players, seeing as Palacios left, but these great lads from the Under-23 side can give us a hand.”

The result means Inter will face either Napoli or Como in the Coppa Italia semi-final, which is the only stage of the tournament to be played over two legs.

They are also top of the Serie A table, with only Milan seemingly in any condition to keep up the pace, and will play Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League play-offs.

“We want to be competitive, to give a sense of consistency to what has been done in recent years. We keep going with belief, hard work, good performances, always aware that we can continue to improve,” noted Chivu.

This is the 19th time in the last 30 seasons that Inter have reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals, and their eighth consecutive victory over Torino.

The semi-final is going to be scheduled just before the Derby della Madonnina in Serie A, so could the extra strain worry Inter, considering Milan are now out of the Coppa Italia and had no European commitments?

“I am never worried, I like playing football, and as a player I preferred it to training,” replied Chivu.

“Inter must never lack ambition, but that also must not be mistaken for obsession, because high expectations can create disappointment.

“We work hard to ensure we are ready, that is what these lads have always done.”

“The future feels bright for Inter.” 🔵⚫@ChrisWittyngham and @IFTVMarco discuss Cristian Chivu trusting youth and the impact it’s already having 💫 pic.twitter.com/gbGsU3pUed

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 4, 2026