Inter 5-3 Udinese – Chivu Flags Slow Start After Comeback

Inter 5-3 Udinese – Chivu Flags Slow Start After Comeback Cristian Chivu welcomed Inter’s fighting response in the 5-3 win over Udinese, but the coach made clear the Nerazzurri still have plenty to fix after another slow start left them exposed at the back. It was the second Serie A game running in which Inter found themselves 2-0 down at home. They clawed back a 3-2 win over Napoli last time out, and this time overturned Udinese 5-3 in a match with eight different goalscorers, just days after a Champions League defeat to Real Madrid that Chivu said had drained his squad. Inter had also lost at home to the same opponents in Week 2 last season, a result the coach was quick to contrast with Sunday’s turnaround, following the pre-match build-up covered in Inter’s Udinese team news . Chivu praises the reaction but flags the slow start Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Chivu said Inter’s identity is built around scoring goals and maintaining a high level, but admitted the opening stretch fell short of that standard. “Apart from the first 25 minutes where we did try to do certain things without the right energy, and Udinese did well to make the most of our attitude, we did well to react,” he said. “We stayed in the game, didn’t want to lose, and I am pleased with that. I also need to analyse what didn’t work and what I probably was unable to transmit to the team. I kind of expected it really, because the Champions League really saps your energy.” Inter have now scored at least five goals in a Serie A match four times in 2026 and sit as Italy’s top scorers this season with 14, but they have also conceded eight in four games. Chivu did not shy away from that trade-off, echoing the concerns raised after the warning issued following the Cagliari game . “If I don’t say I’m worried, then I am not a coach,” he said. “This is modern football, there is a great deal of intensity, our opponents took us on and I like this way of playing, even if it does mean taking risks. I loved the goal for 2-2 that was sparked by winning back the ball quickly. We are not perfect, we know that we have a lot of work to do, and areas where we need to improve.” Rotation headaches and the Roma test The comeback came with Lautaro Martinez rested and Hakan Calhanoglu and Djed Spence sidelined through injury, while John Stones limped off roughly an hour into his first start for the club. Chivu framed the squad depth as a welcome problem. “I saw Mkhitaryan from the start, Bonny scored and was happy, Stankovic managed to get some playing time too,” he said. “I am a little worried that I didn’t get to play Sucic and Bisseck today, but it’s because the club put together such a good squad that it gives me worries having to choose the XI. We have more options to choose from and strength in depth.” Inter now travel to face Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico, a meeting between two sides with 100 per cent records after four rounds. Chivu called it an important fixture before the long international break, one final chance to sharpen the balance between intensity and identity that has defined his side’s early-season football.