Chivu: Why Provedel and Mkhitaryan ‘deserve to start’ in Inter vs. Fiorentina
ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 19: Ivan Provedel of FC Internazionale Milano warms up before the Serie A match between AS Roma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on September 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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
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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.
“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.
“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.
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