Cristian Chivu is looking forward to the return of domestic league action after the extra-long international break that began in mid-September, and has provided updates on the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu, Petar Sucic and Aleksandar Stankovic ahead of Inter’s visit from Parma in Serie A on Saturday afternoon.

Inter went into the international break level with Roma and Lazio on 13 points at the top of the Serie A table, with four wins and one draw on their record after five league matches of the 2026-27 season.

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 19: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale Milano during 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)

Chivu has had several weeks to work with the players that stayed in Milan for the international break, but 12 key first-team players were away with their national teams over the last few weeks, and Friday was the first time that the full squad were back together at the training ground.

“Not a lot has changed for me in three weeks. What changes is the wait and the training without having many players available, as well as the fact that the players who do go away with their national teams end up playing every three days,” said Chivu during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“We’ve been back together for three days and today, I had everyone who will be called up available. We’re all happy.”

Given that the Inter squad have not had much time to train together and with a busy fixture list coming up, Chivu was asked whether Saturday’s game against Parma is an opportunity to test the depth of his squad.

He replied: “We can’t neglect the minutes that the players have played with their national teams. We don’t want to risk them, but we’re dealing with players who are used to playing every three days. They prefer to do that than train! You have to understand the opponent and the schedule. We have a lot of games to play before the next break.”