Inter Milan are out of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. While elimination from any tournament is rarely cause for celebration, the Nerazzurri`s 2-0 defeat to Fluminense in the Round of 16 might just be the paradoxical “best thing” that could have happened for Cristian Chivu`s new squad. This exit marks the definitive end of what became an exceedingly long and emotionally draining 2024-25 campaign, finally allowing the club to hit a much-needed reset button.
The recent weeks leading up to the Club World Cup were, frankly, a brutal exercise in disappointment. It seems like a distant memory now, the thrilling 4-3 second-leg victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semifinal. That high was quickly followed by crashing lows: losing the Serie A title race to a resurgent Napoli and, perhaps most painfully, suffering a crushing 5-0 defeat in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. These setbacks took a significant toll, clearly visible on the pitch and behind the scenes.
In the wake of this difficult period came significant change. Coach Simone Inzaghi departed after four years, and the club turned to a familiar face, appointing former player and 2010 Champions League winner Cristian Chivu. Chivu, who had been working with Inter`s youth teams since 2018, represents a strategic shift. The decision to hire a manager with limited senior experience (just 13 Serie A matches at Parma) was viewed by many as a calculated risk, yet Inter`s management evidently prioritized a coach capable of developing young talent, aligning with recent acquisition strategies which have seen new, younger faces arrive.
The Club World Cup tournament, inserted at the tail end of this turbulent phase, essentially served as a final, exhausting epilogue. The matches played, culminating in the defeat to Fluminense, starkly highlighted a team running on empty. Mentally and physically drained by the cumulative stress of losing both major trophies so painfully, the players looked like they were desperately in need of a prolonged break. The tactical nuances under Chivu likely weren`t the primary issue; sheer exhaustion was the overriding factor.
Perhaps the most telling sign of the need for radical change came not from the touchline, but from the dressing room. Captain Lautaro Martinez, speaking after the Fluminense loss, delivered a blunt message: “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 aren`t just platitudes; they sound like a direct challenge to any teammates lacking the commitment required to rebound from such a difficult season. It suggests that beyond tactical and physical recuperation, a mental and possibly personnel shake-up is necessary.
For the fans and the club environment, digesting the events of the past few weeks has been tough. However, the unwanted early exit from the Club World Cup forces an earlier-than-expected end to competitive play. It provides the crucial time off required for players to rest, clear their heads, and return with renewed hunger. The challenge for Cristian Chivu and the returning squad members is immense: transforming the bitter taste of the 2024-25 collapse into the foundation for a successful new era. The break isn`t just earned; it`s essential.
Lennox Bray