Mkhitaryan admits Inter had ‘obvious problem’ under Inzaghi

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 17: Mika Godts of AFC Ajax shoots whilst under pressure from Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between AFC Ajax and FC Internazionale Milano at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 17, 2025 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan feels Cristian Chivu has the traits of ‘great coaches’ but admits the Nerazzurri felt overconfident during Simone Inzaghi’s time at the club.

Inter midfielder Mkhitaryan discussed the transition period from Inzaghi to Chivu in an interview with Gazzetta.

Chivu, a former Inter defender, replaced Inzaghi when the Italian tactician left the Nerazzurri after four seasons last summer.

Even if Chivu already took charge of Inter during the Club World Cup, the new campaign has only just started, and Mkhitaryan sees encouraging signs at the Stadio Meazza.

Mkhitaryan: Training sessions under Chivu ‘intense and fun’

“It’s still early, we’ve only been working together for a month, but I really like how much attention he [Chivu] gives to every detail,” he said.

“He’s very meticulous, a quality that belongs to great coaches. Training sessions with him are intense and especially fun. They give extra motivation and are tough. They keep you constantly focused, a feeling that helps you on the pitch. In general, Chivu has done well to help us mentally turn the page after the end of last season. You can’t change the past, but you can write the future.”

Mkhitaryan made headlines last season when he said his Inter side sometimes looked ‘unplayable’, but he also argued that other times the team felt too strong and lacked concentration.

“Yes, it was an obvious problem; we dropped points because, subconsciously, we perhaps thought we would manage to win anyway,” he admitted.

“We’re all working on that together with the coach. We want to avoid falling into that mistake again. Still, I remain convinced that if we train well and sacrifice ourselves, then for Inter, everything truly becomes possible. It’s not arrogance but desire.”

Mkhitaryan: Sucic will have a great future

Mkhitaryan, 37, sees his Inter contract expire at the end of the season, but Inter seem to have already found a replacement in Petar Sucic.

“Sucic is serious like me. He applies himself and loves to learn, even languages,” said Mkhitaryan.

“He knows that by speaking in Italian, he’ll be able to help even more. That’s also why he’ll have a great future. As a modern midfielder, he’s quite impressive. He has excellent technical skills, he’s physically strong, and he already runs a lot. He still needs to grow tactically, but he’s only 21.”

Inter have won three consecutive Serie A games before the break, collecting 12 points in the opening six rounds.