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.