Inter Milan`s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign concluded following a 2-0 defeat to Fluminense in the round of 16. Despite the disappointment of elimination from the summer tournament, this outcome finally brings an end to an exceptionally long 2024-25 season for the Italian giants, granting them a much-needed break. The final weeks of this difficult season were eventful. It seems like a distant memory since Inter secured a thrilling 4-3 aggregate victory in the Champions League semi-finals against Barcelona. Following that excitement, the Nerazzurri saw Napoli claim the 2024-25 Serie A title for their fourth Scudetto, suffered a heavy 5-0 loss in the UEFA Champions League final against PSG, and underwent a change in management. After four years at the helm, former coach Simone Inzaghi and the club mutually agreed to part ways, leading to the appointment of Cristian Chivu, a 2010 Champions League winner and club legend.
Chivu`s appointment was a surprising decision that left many observers uncertain, but Inter sought a young coach capable of developing their promising talents, particularly one familiar with the club`s youth system, which Chivu coached from 2018 to 2024. The Romanian manager had limited senior experience, with only 13 Serie A matches coached at Parma before taking the Inter job, resulting in three wins, seven draws, and three defeats. It`s clear Inter took a calculated risk with Chivu, prioritizing a manager focused on youth development, especially considering recent acquisitions like Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic, Brazilian winger Luis Henrique, and French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma. Additionally, the Nerazzurri brought back players from loan spells, including Italian wonderkid Francesco Pio Esposito, who had already showcased his abilities at the World Cup and scored a decisive goal against River Plate in the final group stage match.
Player departures are also anticipated, with increasing rumors about midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu potentially moving to Galatasaray. As the Italian side embarks on a new chapter under fresh leadership, a period of rest is crucial before preseason training commences in the latter half of July. The four matches played in the Club World Cup visibly highlighted the team`s mental exhaustion. The setbacks in both the Champions League and Serie A deeply affected the squad, and the Club World Cup performances underscored the necessity for the roster to take time off, reset, and begin integrating new ideas, players, and tactical approaches with the new manager.
While the Club World Cup provided an initial opportunity for the team to work with the new coaching staff, the words spoken by Inter captain Lautaro Martinez to DAZN after the Fluminense defeat suggest that significant changes will be required this summer. He stated, “The message must be clear, those who want to stay should stay, those who don’t want to stay should leave. I want to fight for important goals. This is an important jersey, and that must be the message.” These comments sound like they are directed not only towards the public but also within the dressing room itself.
The season ended on a challenging note for both the team and the fans, and it is currently difficult to predict the full consequences this finish will have on the upcoming 2025-26 season. The players undeniably need rest and time away now. However, Lautaro`s remarks convey a clear statement to any teammates who might be considering a change this summer after spending several years at the club. Whoever returns after the break will need to work even harder to transform a disappointing season into a new era of success for the club, as overcoming the events of the past few weeks will be a significant challenge for everyone involved with the club environment.
