In a candid interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan addressed the shift from Simone Inzaghi’s methods to the new regime under Cristian Chivu.
The Armenian midfielder highlighted how different the tactical demands now are, and how his role has evolved under the Romanian’s system change.
Mkhitaryan reflected on the contrast in styles, noting that Chivu demands greater verticality and intensity compared to Inzaghi’s more structured, positional approach. He emphasized that the team is being pushed to adapt more fluidly, to embrace quicker transitions and more tactical variations. The change, he said, is not just in formations — it’s a shift in mentality.
The ex-Arsenal player told the newspaper: “Even though some things are similar, the work we do with Chivu is different from that with Inzaghi. Tactically, it’s a slightly more vertical game; we try to finish the move as quickly as possible, with greater aggression, but it also depends on the opponent: you don’t always have the space.”
“You have to understand when and how to do it. It’s about the details, and they’re the ones that make the difference.”
Speaking further about the club’s revolution under Chivu, Mkhitaryan said: “It’s early days, we’ve only been working together for a few months, but I really like his attention to detail. He’s very meticulous, a quality that great coaches have. Training sessions with him are intense and especially fun.
“They confuse everyone, they give extra motivation, but they’re also really tough. They always keep you focused, a feeling that helps you on the pitch. Overall, Chivu has done a good job of making us turn the page mentally after the end of last season: you can’t change the past, but you can write the future.”
He stressed his willingness to adjust, acknowledging that age and experience bring challenges when adapting to newer models. But Mkhitaryan also expressed confidence in the squad’s capacity to evolve, trusting that Chivu’s approach can bring fresh energy to Inter’s attack and midfield balance.
The interview offers a rare inside look at internal evolution at Inter, underlining that the transition from one coach to another is more than cosmetic — it’s foundational.
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