Piotr Zielinski has transformed his Inter Milan career under Cristian Chivu, climbing the midfield pecking order to overtake Henrikh Mkhitaryan and establish himself as a central option ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash with Napoli at San Siro.
Zielinski’s Inter Revival Under Chivu Sets Up Key Role Against Former Club Napoli
The Polish international’s resurgence represents a sharp contrast to last summer when a possible exit from Inter was widely discussed. According to Corriere dello Sport, Zielinski has climbed the pecking order step by step, overtaking both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and initially Sucic to establish himself as a central midfield option under the current coach’s system.
Zielinski himself has admitted that the spark never truly ignited under former coach Simone Inzaghi, but Chivu has allowed him to express his football again. The decisive factor in his transformation has been his connection with the Romanian coach, who has restored the midfielder’s confidence and playing time after what now appears to have been an anomalous difficult period last season.
The numbers support Zielinski’s remarkable turnaround at the club. The 28-year-old has registered three goals and one assist in 23 appearances this season, starting 11 times and spending just three matches entirely on the bench. His last complete absence from the matchday squad came back in early October, highlighting his consistent involvement under Chivu’s management.
Zielinski was also involved in the reverse fixture against Napoli earlier this season, coming on as a substitute after Mkhitaryan suffered an injury during the match. Now, ahead of Sunday night’s encounter at San Siro, the Polish midfielder is hoping to play a leading role against his former club in what could be another significant moment in the title race.
A strong performance against Napoli could deliver another jolt to the championship battle while confirming Zielinski’s revival as one of Inter’s most significant stories of the current campaign. His transformation under Chivu demonstrates how the right coaching relationship can unlock a player’s potential after a period of struggle.
