Chivu: Mourinho´s treble winners should not be compared to current Inter squad

Cristian Chivu has refused to compare his current crop of Inter players to the 2010 squad he was a part of, the last Nerazzurri side to complete the domestic double.

Inter have already wrapped up the Serie A title, doing so at the start of May with a 2-0 win over Parma and with three matches of their league season remaining.

But their attention now turns to the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday, with Lazio their opponents at the Stadio Olimpico just four days after thrashing them 3-0 at the same venue.

Lautaro Martinez, Petar Sucic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were all on target for the Scudetto holders, who are now out to win their first Coppa Italia crown since 2023.

Following their title win, Chivu’s Inter have been compared to the team managed by Jose Mourinho in 2009-10, with the Romanian a key part of that treble-winning side.

Inter cannot, of course, replicate their Champions League success from 16 years ago after being knocked out of the competition by Bodo/Glimt in the knockout play-off phase, though Chivu said both teams have resonated with the club’s supporters.

“There’s no need to compare different eras or different teams,” Chivu said. “Times change, football changes.

“Both the 2010 team and this 2026 side have brought happiness to the fans, and that’s what matters most.”

One more rush.
One more metre.
One more night.

THE FINAL ONE. pic.twitter.com/Wpl4t0aqB8

— Inter (@Inter) May 12, 2026

For Lazio, meanwhile, victory in the Coppa Italia offers them a final chance to qualify for Europe after falling off the pace in Serie A since the turn of the year.

The winner of the competition qualifies for the Europa League, while victory for Lazio would be their first Coppa Italia success since 2019, under former Inter boss Simone Inzaghi.

But Saturday’s dress rehearsal for the showpiece match could not have gone much worse for Maurizio Sarri’s side.

Inter’s triumph saw them win both of their Serie A matches against Lazio in a season for the first time since 2016-17, while they have also won three consecutive away matches against them in the top flight for just the second time, after a period from May 2017 to October 2018.

The Nerazzurri have also kept two consecutive clean sheets against Lazio in Serie A for the first time since 2010 (a streak of four), though Sarri said the defeat was down to his players’ approach.

“Inter are stronger, but with that attitude we would concede two goals against any team,” Sarri said.

“We shouldn’t be scared, that attitude is our fault and not down to the merits of Inter.

“[The final] will be a different match, and it’s clear that we don’t want to have this approach. It’s also clear that Inter are technically superior.”

However, despite that defeat, Sarri remains optimistic regarding Lazio’s chances in a one-off match.

“There’s no need to change our heads. The approach is the result of the fact that our last match didn’t count for anything, unlike Wednesday’s will,” Sarri added.

“But it is a mistake to think like that, there was some chance of reaching seventh place and these matches can create fear, which stops you.

“It’s not ideal, but I hope the boys are willing to show that this isn’t them because there’s a trophy up for grabs.”