Inter are entering the 2025-26 season facing a fresh start under a new manager after a difficult end to 2024-25, when they failed to clinch Serie A on the final day and were crushed 5-0 by PSG in the Champions League final in Munich. The club parted ways with Simone Inzaghi after the Club World Cup elimination and tapped Cristian Chivu, a former Inter captain and Champions League winner, to take charge. Chivu had spent time with Inter’s youth teams and led Parma last season, making him an unconventional but intriguing choice to oversee a squad in transition.
Chivu’s appointment comes with questions about his inexperience as a first-team boss, even though his ties to the club and his work with young players were decisive factors for sporting director Piero Ausilio and club president Giuseppe Marotta. Early in June, Inter considered Cesc Fàbregas as a potential alternative, but available signals pointed to Chivu becoming the frontrunner, a transition that became reality ahead of the Club World Cup. His brief spell in charge in the aftermath did not allow a full demonstration of impact, given the very limited time to work with the squad.
Inter’s summer plans reflect a broader strategy as they look to refresh the squad without triggering a sweeping defensive overhaul. With aging central defenders Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi, the club opted not to rush a new signing in defense and instead pressed for additions in attack and midfield. Negotiations with Atalanta for Ademola Lookman did not reach a conclusion, while some fans questioned whether Italian clubs should invest more in homegrown talent. In the meantime, Inter have shown faith in Francesco Pio Esposito, a teenage forward who already made an impression in youth competitions and scored a crucial goal against River Plate at the Club World Cup; Inter’s academy has kept him in the plans, despite interest from other clubs.
Francesco Pio Esposito has become a talking point as a potential first-team breakout, following a budding reputation developed within the Inter academy and his early challenges against major opponents. His progress is watched closely by Chivu, who has indicated a willingness to give him a meaningful role if his development continues on track.
Inter’s pre-season schedule included a final friendly against Olympiacos in Bari ahead of Serie A’s kick-off on August 25 against Torino. The match is a chance for Chivu to assess how quickly his ideas can translate onto the pitch after a period of adjustment. The game will be broadcast via CBSSN, with the Italian media landscape offering continued coverage ahead of the league campaign. Inter headed into the game with a mixed run of results, showing tactical shifts and intermittent defensive gaps in early friendlies, but finishing fixtures with more positive momentum as they acclimate to the new coaching setup.
What to watch
– How Chivu shapes Inter’s approach with a stronger emphasis on youth development and tactical flexibility.
– Whether Esposito can press for a regular role and how the attacking options behind Lautaro Martinez evolve.
– The balance between experience and youth in midfield, and whether new ideas can translate quickly in Serie A’s tougher pace.
– How the defense stabilizes without a late summer signing, given the age profile of De Vrij and Acerbi.
How to watch
– Match: Inter vs Olympiacos
– Date and time: Saturday, August 16, 3:00 p.m. ET
– Venue: Stadio San Nicola, Bari
– Broadcast: CBSSN
Outlook
Inter enter the new season with a clear intent to blend seasoned performers with a rising generation, aiming to restore consistency and competitiveness across Serie A and in Europe. Chivu’s leadership, coupled with the club’s ongoing evaluation of the squad, offers a hopeful path forward if the integration process accelerates and the young talents seize opportunities.
Summary
Inter have installed Cristian Chivu as head coach to navigate a transitional year after a turbulent end to last season. With a focus on youth and a measured approach to recruitment, they face the challenge of building momentum quickly, while Esposito and other young talents look to stake a claim in the first team. A final friendly against Olympiacos provides a last tune-up before the Serie A campaign begins, with optimism that the club’s long-term project can deliver a more balanced and ambitious 2025-26 season.
Additional comments
– The club’s willingness to trust academy prospects like Esposito alongside experienced players may pay dividends if Chivu can foster a cohesive, high-pressing system.
– The delayed defender strategy could be risky if injuries bite, so monitoring any late-summer activity remains important for supporters hoping for a sharper, more resilient Inter in the months ahead.