Inter Milan has been eliminated from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. While the 2-0 defeat to Fluminense in the round of 16 was a disappointment, this early exit might actually provide a much-needed break for the Italian giants after an exceptionally long and difficult 2024-25 season. The concluding weeks of the season were marked by significant setbacks. It seems like a distant memory since Inter secured a thrilling 4-3 victory in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Barcelona. Following that high, the Nerazzurri experienced a downturn, losing the 2024-25 Serie A title to Napoli, who claimed their 4th Scudetto, suffering a crushing 5-0 defeat against PSG in the UEFA Champions League final, and undergoing a change in management.
Former coach Simone Inzaghi and the club mutually agreed to part ways after four years. Inter then turned to a club legend and 2010 Champions League winner, Cristian Chivu, to take the helm. His appointment was seen as a surprise and raised some doubts, but Inter sought a young coach capable of developing the team`s emerging talents, someone who had already worked within the club`s youth setup, as Chivu coached youth teams from 2018 to 2024. Chivu`s senior coaching experience was limited to just 13 Serie A matches with Parma before joining his former club, with a record of three wins, seven draws, and three defeats. Clearly, Inter took a calculated risk with Chivu, prioritizing a manager focused on young player development, especially given recent acquisitions like Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic, Brazilian winger Luis Henrique, and French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma. The club also welcomed back players from loan spells, including Italian prospect Francesco Pio Esposito, who had showcased his abilities, notably scoring a crucial goal against River Plate in the Club World Cup group stage.
While new players arrive, some departures are also anticipated, with persistent rumors linking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu to Galatasaray. As the team begins this new phase under a different manager, a period of rest is essential. The four matches played in the Club World Cup visibly highlighted the team`s mental exhaustion. The earlier disappointments in the Champions League and Serie A had taken a heavy toll, and the tournament reinforced the need for the squad to take time off, reset, and approach the new season with fresh ideas, possibly new players, and a different tactical approach under Chivu.
Although the Club World Cup provided an early opportunity for the team to start working with the new coaching staff, comments from Inter captain Lautaro Martinez to DAZN after the loss to Fluminense indicated that significant changes are needed 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 words suggest a direct message not only to external observers but also to the players within the dressing room itself.
The end of the season was challenging for both the players and the fans, and it remains uncertain what consequences it will have for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The players desperately need time to rest and recover. However, Lautaro`s strong words imply that some teammates might be considering a change after several years at the club. Regardless of who returns after the break, they will need to commit to working even harder to transform a disappointing season into a new era of success for the club, because processing the events of the past few weeks will be difficult for everyone involved in the club`s environment.
