Cristian Chivu emphasized the significance of squad rotation as Inter Milan made nine changes for their match against Sassuolo, highlighting that Lautaro Martinez is ‘a joy to watch for football enthusiasts.’
The match kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia at 17:00 GMT (18:00 CET).
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The Nerazzurri are making a strong push for the Scudetto, having won 10 of their last 11 league matches, with one draw.
Inter is also gearing up for the Champions League play-offs against Bodo/Glimt and recently triumphed over Torino 2-1 in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.
Chivu Optimizing Inter’s Resources
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, observes before the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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“We must maintain concentration, adopt the right mindset, understand the approach needed, and win our individual battles,” Chivu stated in an interview with Sky Sport Italia.
Sassuolo always presents a challenging encounter, especially with the return of club legend Domenico Berardi, who has led the team to back-to-back victories.
“Sassuolo has caused us issues in the past, and they’re performing well this season, particularly for a newly-promoted team.”
Amidst a busy schedule, Inter’s ability to rotate their squad has emerged as their key strength, as demonstrated by the first starts for youth prospects Matteo Cocchi and Issiaka Kamate during the midweek match.
Tonight’s starting XI has seen nine changes from the team that played in the Coppa Italia.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, gestures during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match against Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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“What’s crucial is that our entire squad is ready to step up and contribute to our collective effort,” Chivu noted. “It’s a long season, and we recognize the need for consistency and ambition. We are Inter, a club with a rich history that competes at the highest levels, both domestically and internationally.”
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Serie A match against Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Currently, Lautaro Martinez has netted 170 goals in 366 appearances for Inter, putting him just one goal shy of equaling Roberto Boninsegna as the club’s third all-time top scorer.
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What qualities stand out about the Argentina international to someone who trains with him daily?
“His ambition and desire to make a difference and win, his commitment to always being his best and continuously improving. He possesses numerous attributes typical of top strikers, making him a real pleasure to watch for football lovers,” Chivu remarked.