Inter Milan`s run in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has ended. Their 2-0 defeat to Fluminense in the Round of 16 marks a disappointing exit but finally allows the Italian club a needed break after an unusually long 2024-25 campaign. This season`s closing weeks were particularly challenging. After a thrilling Champions League semifinal win over Barcelona (4-3 on aggregate), the Nerazzurri saw their Scudetto hopes dashed as Napoli secured their fourth Serie A title, suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat in the UEFA Champions League final against PSG, and underwent a significant managerial change, with Simone Inzaghi departing after four years and club legend Cristian Chivu, part of the 2010 Champions League winning squad, taking over.
Chivu`s appointment was a surprise and raised questions for many. However, Inter sought a young manager with experience in developing promising players, having coached the club`s youth teams from 2018 to 2024. His senior coaching experience was limited to just 13 Serie A matches at Parma (three wins, seven draws, three defeats) before returning to his former club. While a clear risk, the focus was on player development, aligning with new signings like Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic, Brazilian winger Luis Henrique, and French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma. Loan returnees also joined, including Italian prodigy Francesco Pio Esposito, who impressed in the recent World Cup and scored the decisive goal against River Plate in the group stage.
Player departures are also expected, with rumors of midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu moving to Galatasaray gaining traction daily. As Inter embarks on this new era under Chivu, a period of rest is crucial. Their performance across four matches in the Club World Cup highlighted mental fatigue. The disappointment from losing the Champions League final and failing to win Serie A clearly took a toll, and the tournament underscored the team`s need for time off to reset, integrate new ideas and players, and adapt to the new manager`s tactical approach.
While the Club World Cup did provide an opportunity for the team to begin working with the new coaching staff, captain Lautaro Martinez`s post-match comments to DAZN after the loss to Fluminense strongly suggested impending changes 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 seemed directed not just outward, but also towards the dressing room itself.
This season concluded on a difficult note for both the squad and the fans. It remains uncertain how the challenges of the 2024-25 campaign will impact the upcoming 2025-26 season. While rest is essential for the players now, Lautaro`s words serve as a clear signal to teammates who might be considering a change after several years at the club. Those who return after the break face the task of working even harder to transform a disappointing season into a new, successful era for Inter, as the events of the past weeks will undoubtedly be difficult for everyone associated with the club to overcome.
