Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Thursday, 07 May 2026, 08:42 / Updated on Thursday, 07 May 2026 08:42
Italian broadcaster Sky Sports revealed how Cristi Chivu settled the first 'crucial battle' en route to his first Scudetto with Inter as a coach.
The first major problem Cristi Chivu faced after taking over at Inter last summer was the conflict between Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu.
At the time, there were rumors that the Turkish international wanted to leave for Galatasaray, and Lautaro, in his capacity as Nerazzurri captain, came out publicly and asked him to clarify the situation.
Cristi Chivu to Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez: “Meet and solve”
Calhanoglu responded with an open letter and tensions arose which Chivu eventually defused. How? “Meet and chat! You are two key players, I need both of you“, he would have told them, according to journalists from Sky Sport Italia.
Cristi Chivu, after winning the title with Inter, photo: Imago
The two reunited at Lautaro's house, made peace, hugged and video-called their coach: “Mystery, look at us, we solved itwe also post a photo on social networks!”.
Chivu, who does not frequent social media, replied that it was none of his business if he posted anything. For him, all that mattered was the truce for the good of Inter. “Once the matter was resolved, serenity returned to the locker room. Chivu didn't know it, but at that point he had already won a crucial battle for the Scudetto“, claims the “FCInter1908.it” goalkeeper.
Cristi Chivu has been wearing slippers all season that stimulate the sensory cortex of the brain
Also on Sky Sport, journalist Matteo Barzaghi revealed that “Cristi Chivu spent the entire season wearing shoes/slippers from Inter's technical sponsor, in his free time at Appiano, during conferences and during various trips, in every hotel where the team stayed”.
The manufacturer writes that “this shoe stimulates the sensory cortex of the brain through thousands of mechanoreceptors under the foot, a technology that helps you focus, connect with your environment and anchor yourself in the present. That's why these smart slippers cannot be missing from your travel bag. Be careful, Chivu is not superstitious, he pays attention to every detail.”
Ranking in Serie A
