Chivu: Why Provedel and Mkhitaryan ‘deserve to start’ in Inter vs. Fiorentina

Chivu: Why Provedel and Mkhitaryan ‘deserve to start’ in Inter vs. Fiorentina Cristian Chivu explains why Ivan Provedel and Henrikh Mkhitaryan deserve to start in Inter’s home Serie A game against Fiorentina. The defending Serie A champions host Fiorentina at San Siro in Sunday’s Serie A lunchtime game. Chivu explains his line-up choices for Inter vs. Fiorentina BOLOGNA, ITALY – OCTOBER 17: Cristian Chivu, Manager of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on before the Serie A match between Bologna FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on October 17, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) You can follow the build-up and live action on the LIVEBLOG.  Inter’s second-choice keeper Provedel makes his debut, replacing Josep Martinez, who had started every game so far. “Provedel deserves to start after this week, when his child was also born, and for the work he’s done these months, supporting Pepo too. From here to the end of the season, he’ll help us rotate,” Chivu told DAZN before kick-off. “It’s a hard game. Fiorentina are a well-trained team,” added the Nerazzurri boss. HONG KONG, CHINA – AUGUST 1: Matteo Lavelli of Inter Milan (R) celebrates after scoring his penalty kick goal with goalkeeper Ivan Provedel of Inter Milan (L) during a penalty shoot-out after the Manchester City v Inter Milan – Pre-Season Friendly at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) “Recently, they’ve earned less than they deserved. They have many things that can make you struggle; they do many things well. We can’t choose; we must leave everything we have on the field.” Mkhitaryan gets the nod in central midfield for Inter today, joining Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu. Mkhitaryan was instrumental to Inter’s 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday, providing a brilliant assist with Carlos Augusto, while the Nerazzurri were down to ten men. MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Antoine Hainaut of Venezia FC is challenged by Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale Milano during the Coppa Italia round of 16 match between FC Internazionale and Venezia FC at San Siro Stadium on December 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “I don’t look at the ID, nor at who was born earlier or later,” Chivu concluded. “The last few times he was on the pitch, he added something we missed, and he deserves to start.” With Lazio beating Parma 2-1 on Saturday, Inter need a win today to catch the Bianconcelesti at the top of the table.