Inter Milan gave Ivan Provedel his Nerazzurri debut in Sunday's Serie A match against Fiorentina at San Siro. Inter went into the fixture needing a win to draw level with Lazio at the top of the Serie A standings.
Provedel starts in goal
Provedel replaced Josep Martinez in goal. Martinez had started every game for Inter so far this season. Provedel joined Inter in July 2026 on a three-year deal from Lazio.
Speaking to DAZN prior to kick-off, Chivu said: "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."
Chivu added: "From here to the end of the season, he’ll help us rotate."
Chivu on the Fiorentina test
The Romanian manager said: "It’s a hard game. Fiorentina are a well-trained team... We can’t choose; we must leave everything we have on the field."
Mkhitaryan selected in midfield
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was selected to start in central midfield. He had a decisive impact in Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, providing the assist for Carlos Augusto while Inter were down to ten men.
Explaining that decision, Chivu said: "I don’t look at the ID, nor at who was born earlier or later."
Chivu added: "The last few times he was on the pitch, he added something we missed, and he deserves to start."