Inter's Chivu addresses Stankovic future and praises squad resilience
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu has confirmed the club will make a decision on the future of midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic this summer, while reflecting on a season where his squad has defied expectations. Speaking at a press conference in Appiano Gentile ahead of the match against Torino, Chivu addressed the 21-year-old's situation directly, framing it as a transfer matter. "We go a bit beyond, this is a market topic," Chivu said. "We follow him with a lot of attention and we know everything good he has done. I know him very well, since he was 4-5 years old. He is like a son to me and we know well the growth he has made."
Chivu noted that Stankovic's loan move to a competitive league this past season was a deliberate choice by the club, indicating their continued interest in his development. "If this summer we chose to give him an important experience in a competitive championship, it means we are aware of it," Chivu stated. "We look at him with a lot of attention and a thought about him we will make without problems." Stankovic, the son of former Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic, spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Bundesliga side Stuttgart, where he made 24 league appearances.
The manager's press conference was largely a celebration of a squad that has clinched a Serie A title with games to spare, a achievement he framed as a powerful rebuttal to critics. "When they understood that there was a possibility of remaining competitive going against the grain because everyone was talking about a finished cycle, they were reborn and found the right motivation," Chivu said. He reflected on inheriting a team in difficulty and guiding it to the brink of the scudetto, praising the players' humanity and unity. "It is no coincidence that we are first in the standings with an important margin or that we are in the Coppa Italia final," he added.
Chivu also provided updates on several key players. He confirmed that defender Alessandro Bastoni has returned to training and is improving, though still with some discomfort, and is in contention for the Torino match. He revealed that midfielder Mihailo Sucic played through a triple fracture in his hand for two months, paying tribute to his commitment. Regarding captain Lautaro Martinez, Chivu said the striker is improving in his rehabilitation and is expected to rejoin the group next week. The manager must also decide between goalkeepers Yann Sommer and Emiliano Martinez for the upcoming fixture.
Reflecting on Inter's record-breaking offensive season, with over 100 goals scored in all competitions, Chivu linked the team's philosophy to modern football. "The defensive numbers I don't look at much, when you have a high line and you take risks," he explained. "It would be a shame not to exploit the offensive strength of these boys. By now the times when the best defenses win are over. It's a more modern, dynamic, intense football." He concluded by expressing profound pride in his team, stating, "I am proud of the humanity of these boys, I love them to death and I hold them close." The decision on Stankovic's return to Inter or another move will be a key early piece of business for the newly-crowned champions.
