Inter coach Cristian Chivu confirmed Djed Spence's entry onto the pitch in the pre-match press conference against Club Brugge. Spence, signed in the summer, had a difficult start to the season due to physical problems, but now appears to have regained his form. Chivu highlighted how the 25 minutes of play on Saturday relieved the pressure and frustration that the young player had felt, restoring his adrenaline and confidence.
According to the coach, Spence spent a week training plus 25 minutes of playing time, and also trained yesterday and today. “He is growing in condition and I am pleased that he is shaking off some of the pressure and anger for the physical problems he had at the beginning,” said Chivu. The debut on the pitch allowed the player to demonstrate his ability to contribute to the game, even if his role is still to be defined within the group.
Chivu then spoke about the team philosophy, underlining that the choice of players does not only depend on the first or second row, but on the energy level and the opponent. “We play every three days so we also look at the mental aspect,” he explained. He also mentioned the importance of the five changes, citing examples such as Monza and Napoli to highlight how the entry of a player can make the difference. “We are a group that wants to be competitive and rowing in the same direction,” he added.
The coach reiterated that the season is long and that energy is essential to face challenges, especially in the Champions League. “We need energy,” concluded Chivu, indicating that Spence's performance is a positive sign for the team's future. The next match against Club Brugge represents an opportunity to see whether Spence can consolidate his place in the starting lineup and contribute to Inter's success in European competitions.