Ср. Сен 3rd, 2025

Inter Milan Kicks Off Chivu Era in Champions League with Unveiled Squad and Ambitious Schedule

As the football world gears up for another thrilling UEFA Champions League campaign, Inter Milan is poised for a fresh start under new head coach Cristian Chivu. The Nerazzurri have officially locked in their squad list and laid out their formidable path for the upcoming 2025/2026 European season, promising a blend of seasoned talent and youthful ambition.

The European Gauntlet: Eight Challenges Await

The journey begins in exactly two weeks, on Wednesday, September 17th, at the iconic Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, where Inter will face a formidable Ajax side. This match marks Chivu`s much-anticipated Champions League debut from the dugout, a moment that will set the tone for the club`s European aspirations. But Ajax is merely the first domino in a series of eight intense encounters that will test Inter`s mettle across the continent and at home.

The fixture list reads like a global football tour, featuring:

  • A home clash against Slavia Prague at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
  • An away trip to Belgium to face Union Saint-Gilloise.
  • The much-discussed “surprise package,” Kairat Almaty, making their way to the Meazza – a truly unique Champions League narrative in the making.
  • A visit to the Wanda Metropolitano to take on Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
  • High-profile home fixtures against English powerhouses Liverpool and Arsenal.
  • The grand finale of the group stage, concluding in the infamous “Dortmund inferno” against Borussia Dortmund.

It`s a schedule designed to separate the contenders from the mere participants, and Chivu`s squad will need every ounce of their collective strength and tactical acumen.

Squad Unveiled: Inclusions, Exclusions, and the List B Innovation

The squad from which Chivu will draw his forces has now been officially confirmed, with a few notable points of interest. Young talent Pio Esposito, born in 2005, finds himself on List B. For those unfamiliar with Champions League regulations, List B allows clubs to register an unlimited number of players born on or after 1 January 2004 who have been eligible to play for the club for any uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday. Crucially, this means Esposito can participate without occupying a spot on the main A-list, ensuring practical flexibility for the coach.

Conversely, defender Tomas Palacios is the sole name to be excluded from the official roster, a decision that will undoubtedly prompt speculation but ultimately streamlines the squad. On a brighter note, the latest key acquisition, Manuel Akanji, has been successfully integrated into the squad and is ready to make his mark on Europe`s biggest stage.

Inter`s 2025/2026 Champions League Squad: A Detailed Look

Here’s the complete breakdown of the Nerazzurri contingent ready to battle for European glory:

Goalkeepers

  • Sommer
  • Martinez
  • Di Gennaro

Defenders

  • Acerbi
  • Akanji
  • Bastoni
  • Bisseck
  • Carlos Augusto
  • Darmian
  • De Vrij
  • Dimarco
  • Dumfries

Midfielders

  • Barella
  • Calhanoglu
  • Diouf
  • Frattesi
  • Luis Henrique
  • Mkhitaryan
  • Sucic
  • Zielinski

Forwards

  • Bonny
  • Esposito
  • Lautaro Martinez
  • Thuram

Looking Ahead: Hopes and Hurdles

With a blend of experienced internationals and promising youngsters, Inter Milan`s squad under Cristian Chivu seems well-equipped for the challenges ahead. The mix of tactical discipline expected from a former defender like Chivu, combined with the attacking prowess of players like Lautaro Martinez and Thuram, could forge a formidable European contender. The Champions League is an unforgiving arena, where every decision, every pass, and every moment counts. Inter`s fans, with a healthy dose of optimism and a dash of the usual Italian football anxiety, will be keenly watching as their team embarks on this thrilling new chapter.

By Lennox Bray

Lennox Bray, from Leeds, England, is a Juventus-obsessed journalist with a knack for storytelling. He turns stats into gripping tales, whether it’s a last-minute win or a youth prospect’s rise.

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