Cristian Chivu's Inter Milan face Torino in Serie A at sold-out San Siro

The electric atmosphere reflects the fans' hunger for a new era under head coach Cristian Chivu, who takes charge for his first competitive match. The Nerazzurri are buzzing with anticipation after narrowly missing the Serie A title last season, finishing just one point behind champions Napoli.

Chivu, a former Inter defender who spent six years with the club, now shoulders the challenge of guiding them back to the top. "We have a strong and confident group, and we'll work hard to achieve important results," Chivu said at a recent press conference.

Adding to the excitement, Inter's summer signings, including forward Ange-Yoan Bonny, are poised to make their debuts. "I have a strong hunger to improve and will learn alongside great champions," Bonny said upon joining the club.

However, the team will be without key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and young striker Francesco Pio Esposito, both sidelined by suspensions for the opener.

Meanwhile, doubts linger over midfielder Davide Frattesi's availability as he recovers from abdominal surgery, though defender Federico Dimarco is expected to feature despite a recent knock.

Chivu has hinted at tactical flexibility, potentially deploying a four-man defence to counter Torino's threat. "The sense of responsibility will hide my emotions," he said, emphasizing his focus ahead of the clash.

The sold-out San Siro, with tickets nearly gone and final seats available until midnight Sunday, signals the fans' belief in a squad eager to erase last season's near-miss.

Inter's recent pre-season form, including a 2-0 victory over Olympiacos, has further fueled optimism. "I'm happy with the win, and we're working hard to improve and add something extra," Chivu said after the friendly.

With new signings like Antonio La Gumina joining Inter's U23 side and Alessandro Fontanarosa moving to Avellino, the club are also investing in their future.

As the Nerazzurri prepare to face Torino, the sold-out San Siro sets the stage for a thrilling start to a season brimming with ambition and redemption.