A new chapter has begun for Inter Milan with club legend Cristian Chivu taking the helm as head coach, following the departure of Simone Inzaghi. The former defender's tenure kicked off with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Monterrey in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Nerazzurri, who entered the tournament under a cloud of change after Inzaghi's move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, showed glimpses of a new tactical approach under Chivu. The new manager opted for a surprise in his starting lineup, handing a start to young forward Sebastiano Esposito.
Inter's goal came from the penalty spot, coolly converted by their talismanic striker, but they were unable to secure all three points against a resilient Monterrey side. The result leaves Inter with work to do in their remaining group stage matches.
Adding to the challenges for Chivu is the absence of key forward Mehdi Taremi. The Iranian international is set to miss the entirety of the Club World Cup after being unable to travel from his home country. The club is also monitoring minor injury concerns to Denzel Dumfries and Yann Bisseck.
Off the pitch, the aftershocks of Inzaghi's exit continue to be felt. Club president Beppe Marotta recently commented on the departure, emphasizing the need to move forward and begin a "new cycle" under Chivu.
In the transfer market, Inter are reportedly active in their search for reinforcements. The club is said to be targeting Parma's promising duo, forward Ange-Yoan Bonny and defender Giovanni Leoni. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds the future of midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, with reports suggesting the Turkish international could be sold if a suitable offer arrives.
Inter Milan's focus will now turn to their next Club World Cup fixture as they aim to progress from the group stage and give their new manager a flying start to his reign. The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the identity of Chivu's Inter, both on and off the field.
