Borderline situation after Chivu's nervous breakdown! » Who will be on the technical bench at Inter in Sunday's match?
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Monday, March 16, 2026 11:01 p.m. / Updated Monday, March 16, 2026 11:05 p.m.
The scandal that ended the match Inter – Atalanta 1-1 in the 29th round of Serie A will have consequences for the Nerazzurri's technical staff. Eliminated by the referee for protests, Cristi Chivu will be suspended, but the assistant Aleksandar Kolarov could also be sanctioned by the Disciplinary Commission tomorrow. So, in their place, the next chosen to lead the Nerazzurri in the match with Fiorentina will be Angelo Palombo!
An improbable and rather rare situation faced by the leader of the Italian championship. After the club's management decided to go into silenzio stampa, as a sign of protest against the refereeing decisions in the match with Atalanta, Inter risks not having either Cristi Chivu or Aleksandar Kolarov on the technical bench at the next stage!
Cristi Chivu, radical decision in Inter's dressing room / Imago Images
After receiving two yellow cards and consequently being sent off (the second time in his career as an antenor, after the “red” seen in Parma) on Saturday, Inter's “principal” will automatically be suspended for one match. Also tomorrow, in the meeting of the Disciplinary Commission, his “second”, Aleksandar Kolarov, risks being punished!
“Kolarov addressed insulting expressions to the referees, before even reaching physical contact with Djimsiti, the defender of Atalanta”
The former coach of the U21 national team of Serbia reacted nervously and behaved disrespectfully towards the referee Manganiello and towards the opponents of Atalanta, the decision of the Italian League depending on the match report drawn up by the “central”.
“Next Sunday in Florence, due to Chivu's suspension, Kolarov should take the place on the Nerazzurra bench. In this case, however, it is mandatory to use the conditional mode (…).
After the episode of the penalty not awarded to Frattesi, Inter's assistant coach addressed some of the the “offensive expressions” that are often read in arbitration reports, before even reaching physical contact with Atalanta's defender, Djimsiti”, writes the Italian press.
Alessandro Bastoni (left of Federico Dimarco) receives advice from Cristi Chivu and his assistant at Inter, Aleksandar Kolarov here / Photo: Imago
Palombo or Cecchi, Cristi Chivu's specialists for the fixed phases, could sit on Inter's technical bench on Sunday!
FCInter1908.it explained that “it is not excluded that, in addition to Chivu, the suspension of Kolarov will also be decided, although the general impression is that, at most, it could be limited to a fine. However, in the case of a suspension, another question would arise: who will sit on the bench?
There are two hypotheses. The coach will be Angelo Palombo, the Nerazzurri's set-piece specialist, who holds a UEFA Pro license. The second points to Mario Cecchi, another fixed-phase specialist, himself qualified. But Inter is counting on the presence of Kolarov on the bench, waiting for the return of Chivu”.
