Inter on the right track under Chivu, asserts assistant Kolarov
Aleksandar Kolarov is confident that Cristian Chivu has Inter progressing positively as he prepares for his inaugural return to former club Parma on Wednesday. Chivu transitioned to the Nerazzurri from Parma in June and has since led Inter to ascend to the top of the Serie A standings, with their latest triumph against Bologna at home serving as a significant accomplishment. Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martinez, and Marcus Thuram all found the net at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in this vital match, following victories for title competitors AC Milan and Napoli as well. Inter stands as the clear favorite to claim the Scudetto in the 2025-26 season, with a 59.6% probability according to the Opta supercomputer’s season simulations, while reigning champions Napoli follow in second place with 21.8%. Chivu’s recruitment was influenced by his victorious mindset as a player, given that Inter narrowly fell short of several key trophies last season. They ended as runners-up in the Supercoppa Italiana and the Champions League, were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, and finished second in Serie A. “We didn’t aim to overhaul Inter, but rather to make enhancements. The team was very close to capturing numerous titles last season and unfortunately fell short,” Kolarov remarked. “We fine-tuned a few aspects and focused on training, and I believe the squad is moving in the right direction. Once the second half of the season begins, the situation changes significantly, so we’re at the top and want to maintain that position. It will demand considerable effort.”
Kolarov took on media responsibilities following their victory over Bologna last weekend, as Chivu had lost his voice during the match, despite the comfortable outcome for his side. Former manager Simone Inzaghi was known to have missed several post-match interviews due to losing his voice from shouting on the sidelines. Kolarov acknowledged that his post-match duties might increase as the season goes on. “Chivu appears quite calm, but he’s really not! I feel Cristian might actually yell more,” Kolarov admitted. “That said, I wasn’t as near to the bench with Inzaghi as I am with Chivu, so it might just be a matter of proximity.” Currently, Parma sits in 14th place but has only lost one of their last four league fixtures (W2 D1) and will be looking to pull off an upset.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Parma – Mateo Pellegrino
After recording an assist against Fiorentina and scoring against Sassuolo, Mateo Pellegrino has the chance to become the first player to be involved in at least one goal in three consecutive Serie A matches for Parma since Dejan Kulusevski in July 2020 (against Napoli, Brescia, and Atalanta). The last Argentinian to achieve this milestone was Hernan Crespo, who did so between November and December 2010 (against Lazio, Inter, and Udinese).
Inter – Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez has netted in five consecutive Serie A matches for Inter, marking the first time since the period between December 2023 and January 2024. The last Nerazzurri player to achieve a scoring streak of six successive Serie A games was Julio Cruz, who accomplished this feat between October and December 2007 (seven goals during that span).
7 – Only Alessandro Altobelli (eight), Giuseppe Meazza, and Benito Lorenzi (nine each) have recorded more different championships with at least 10 goals in Inter’s history compared to #LautaroMartínez (seven – 10 goals in the current #SerieA). Unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/KLWXB4k399
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) January 4, 2026
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER VICTORY
Inter has remained unbeaten in their last seven Serie A encounters with Parma (W4 D3), yet they have never achieved eight consecutive league matches without a loss against them. The last top-flight victory for Parma against the Nerazzurri was on 15 September 2018. However, following their 2-2 draw in their latest meeting on 5 April, Parma and Inter could see consecutive Serie A matches end in draws for the first time since the period of September 2004 to February 2005 (when both matches also concluded 2-2). Nevertheless, Chivu’s squad heads to Stadio Ennio Tardini with confidence. They have claimed six out of eight away fixtures in Serie A this season (L2) and could achieve at least seven wins in their first nine away league matches of a campaign for the fifth time in their history. Conversely, Parma has the opportunity to remain unbeaten in three Serie A fixtures for the first time under Carlos Cuesta. The last time they managed a longer unbeaten stretch in the top-flight was from March to April under now-Inter manager Chivu (W1 D6). Following their recent home victory (1-0 vs Fiorentina), Parma could achieve back-to-back home wins in Serie A for the first time since January 2020, when they overcame Lecce and Udinese under Roberto D’Aversa.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Parma – 14.5%
Draw – 19.5%
Inter – 65.9%
Published: 2026-01-06 23:30:00
source: www.soccernews.com
