New Inter Milan Head Coach Confident Despite Mixed Start: 'Know What I Can Give To This Team'

“I am who I am,” Chivu said. “I know what I can give to this team and will try, as I’ve always done, to give my all on a human and professional level.

“Moreover, I want to show sensitivity at the right moments and to know when I also need to be tougher.

“I’m blunt and sincere, I always say what I think regardless of who’s in front of me.”

Meanwhile, Inter bounced back from a 1-1 draw against Monterrey with a late 2-1 comeback win over Urawa Reds.

Asked whether that result has changed something, Chivu replied: “What changed is that we’ve spent more days together.

“Before the match against Monterrey, we’d only been together for two days.

“Getting to know each other and having time to be together is always nice, even if holding a training camp at the end of the season is never ideal.

“But we’ve had their full commitment, the best attitude, and seriousness for this tournament. We want to advance and go as far as possible.”

Cristian Chivu on Francesco Pio Esposito

With Thuram and Taremi out of the squad, Inter will rely on Francesco Pio Esposito in this crunch fixture.

“I’m very happy for this kid because he represents the whole youth academy journey,” Chivu praised the teenager.

“”I met him when he was in the Under-14s, then we started working together again with the Under-19s and now he’s in the first team.

“The other day he came on at halftime — now he might start or come off the bench.

“What I know, not just about him but about all the guys I have available, is that they’ll always try to give their all.

“That’s the most important thing.”

Finally, he admitted what he wanted from this Inter team.

“I always look at the human side because for me that’s fundamental.

“In difficult moments you need to find a little affection and kindness, the right words.

“We do it as a staff, and they do it among themselves. They get along well, and we already knew that.”