Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Monday, March 30, 2026 10:21 p.m. / Updated Monday, March 30, 2026 10:22 p.m.
Riccardo Calafiori (23 years old), Arsenal's left-back, told the press what Inter's players from the Italian national team told him about the coach of the Serie A leader. “Everyone is very happy with Chivu. And you can see that even when he speaks in interviews,” the star of the London “gunners” declared in the peninsular press.
Riccardo Calafiori is the leader with Arsenal in the Premier League and tomorrow evening, in Zenica, he will play the decisive match with the Squadra Azzurra for qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The left-back will keep his starting position in the semi-final with Northern Ireland (2-0) and will not be missing from the starting formula against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
During the week he spent in the training camp of the Italian national team, Calafiori had the opportunity to talk to the four Inter players called up by Gennaro Gattuso for the two World Cup qualifiers in North America, Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi.
Riccardo Calafiori: “You can tell right away when you listen to Chivu. I like people like that, honest and in one piece”
The defender, who plays left-back for Rino Gattuso's side, has revealed what he discussed with the Nerazzurri internationals about their manager at the Serie A top-flight.
“If the players take advantage of a young and inexperienced coach? Instinctively or maybe even without realizing it, you make a first impression, especially if you know that someone has already shown that they are a great coach.
I spoke to the boys (no – from Inter and the Italian national team) and they are all very excited about Chivu. This is also seen as he talks in interviews, that he seems honest and tells things by name. You can tell right away when you listen to it. I like people like that, all at once.” said Calafiori, according to Inter 1908.
