Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 14:37 / Updated on Tuesday, 21 October 2025 14:54
After Fabio Capello, Walter Zenga also moved from the camp of critics to that of Cristi Chivu's sympathizers. The former great Italian goalkeeper, with four trophies won with Inter, now 65 years old and an analyst at Sky Sports, was also convinced not only of the Romanian's character, but also of his coaching qualities.
“When you take over a team, you can't continue with what you found. You have to put your personal stamp on it,” Walter Zenga criticized Chivu a month ago after the Nerazzurri lost the derby with Juventus. The occasion on which the former great Inter goalkeeper confessed: “I speak Romanian well and I even converted to Orthodoxy to get married.”
Zenga: “I see the flame! The biggest change is in the mind and heart”
However, in football, opinions are ephemeral, and the verdicts regarding Inter's new coach did not last long. Thanks to the streak of six victories in Serie A and the Champions League, Cristi Chivu also made Zenga change his position by 180 degrees.
Cristi Chivu has seven wins and two defeats this season at Inter / PHOTO: Imago Images
I am thinking about the Napoli game, but it is essential that Inter get three points in Brussels. Last year, PSG were virtually eliminated, then they won. In this new format, there are possibilities that today are unimaginable. Inter now have to focus on making it four wins out of four in the Champions League, then we'll see
Walter Zengaformer great goalkeeper of Inter
Asked what he meant to Inter from the correction in Munich, the former champion with Inter in 1989 replied eloquently: “He taught us… what Chivu is now teaching his boys. The anger born from that final must be transformed into positive energy, in Italy and in Europe.
I see this flame. We talk a lot about verticality and aggressiveness, but the biggest change is in the mind and the heart. Cristian may seem harsh, but he is a special man, just like his native country.
“Inter have everything they need to try to win the title”
Winning the title is less complicated than doing great performances in the Champions League. Serie A is the closest goal, but the ambition of a club like Inter is always high, it is in the DNA. Why not consider playing a third final in four seasons in the League? You can only afford to choose when you're at the bottom of the leaderboard.”
Zenga believes Chivu's Inter can fight to go far on both Serie A and League fronts: “We have fresh, young blood that puts everyone in a good mood and makes the fans happy.
Walter Zenga // photo: Imago Images
The team has everything it needs to try to win the championship, although Milan will have more time to rest, as Napoli benefited from last year.
In today's football, there is no “1” and “12”, but two almost equal players. Sommer is a symbol of reliability, but even he knows that the time will come when he will have to give up his seat. And if the coach chose to focus on Martinez, I have faith: the goalkeeping role is different, for people who are a little… special
Walter Zengaformer great goalkeeper of Inter
