Chivu: ‘Inter must honour Lazio game, Lautaro needs Thuram’

“This is a Serie A match, the Coppa Italia is a different tournament, so we need to honour this competition, continue sticking to our principles throughout the season and keep focus, because this is a real match,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.

“Even if we are already the Champions of Italy, we still need to honour the competition all the way.”

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 21: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, celebrates with Hakan Calhanoglu after during the Coppa Italia Semi-Final match between FC Internazionale and Como at San Siro on April 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With the Coppa Italia Final coming up, Inter can afford to rotate their squad, bringing in the likes of Davide Frattesi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for rare starts.

Lautaro Martinez returns to the starting XI to get minutes in his legs after a recent muscular setback.

“Lautaro showed last week off the bench against Parma that he is doing well, we hope to get him an hour or so today to rediscover match fitness. Marcus starts because Lautaro needs his teammate right now and they work well together.”

The squad, coach Chivu and directors all met with Pope Leo in the Vatican this morning, so he could congratulate them on their Serie A title success.

Inter are wearing black armbands following the death of club legend Evaristo Beccalossi.

“We send our condolences to his family and the whole Inter family, his daughter Gaia has been working with us for many years. He represented Interismo, what it means to be part of this club, and we are sad to have lost someone so special,” said Chivu.