Vieri ahead of Lazio vs Inter Coppa Italia final: ‘Just the beginning for Chivu’
Vieri ahead of Lazio vs Inter Coppa Italia final: ‘Just the beginning for Chivu’ Christian Vieri has backed Inter Milan to win Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final against Lazio, insisting Cristian Chivu’s achievements this season are only the beginning, while warning that the Biancocelesti will be a completely different proposition to the side beaten 3-0 at the weekend. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the Olimpico showpiece, the former striker, who spent one season at Lazio and six at Inter, was characteristically direct in his assessment of both clubs. “Inter is by far the best team in Italy and obviously starts as favourite,” he said.
“But watch out for Lazio, they have had a thousand problems this year, but one victory can redeem everything, and that puts you on the pitch with a knife between your teeth. ” ROME, ITALY – MAY 09: FC Internazionale head coach Cristian Chivu looks on during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Vieri backs Lautaro to become Inter all-time top scorer as Chivu praised for ‘detox’ On Chivu, Vieri was unequivocal.
“He does not think, unlike many in Italy, that everything is always a drama,” he said. “It was not a drama to lose those points at the start of the season, they were needed to find the right path. Chivu has shown he is excellent because he knew those tensions during the Club World Cup were just toxins to be removed in due course.
The squad was always strong. I never doubted the coach, even without much experience, and now he is champion of Italy. And this is just the beginning.
” RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 06: Former FC Internazionale player Christian Vieri looks on prior to the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Vieri reserved particular praise for the squad’s collective mentality. “The players tire themselves out, from Dimarco to Dumfries, to Calha, who will be missed in this final,” he said.