Chivu’s challenge: restarting Inter Milan’s stalled engine

With Inzaghi gone, it’s up to Chivu to reignite Inter Milan for the Club World Cup

Restarting an engine that stalled at the worst possible moment isn’t easy—especially when that engine has suffered a serious breakdown. But that’s the challenge Cristian Chivu has embraced without hesitation.

After Simone Inzaghi’s departure, it’s now up to the former Romanian defender to get Inter Milan back on track—mentally and physically drained as they are—and guide them to at least a respectable Club World Cup showing.

“Reigniting Inter Milan is Chivu’s mission,” writes Corriere della Sera via Fcinter1908, “and judging from the opening match against modest Monterrey, it won’t be an easy or quick job.”

The group is visibly exhausted, physically and mentally, and that’s no secret. 

But precisely because of that, Chivu—aside from his now-viral quote (“Sooner or later, they’ll mess something up...”)—has introduced a few subtle changes. 

Small cues to sharpen focus, to prevent looking back at the collapse in Monaco, to stay alive in this strange tournament for as long as possible, and above all, to lay the foundation for the upcoming season.

Chivu stepped in after just three training sessions, sticking to Inzaghi’s trademark 3-5-2 system, but added his own flavor: a higher pressing game and man-marking during Mexican transitions. 

In the second half, he experimented with two different attacking setups, including a two-man midfield (Sucic-Barella), though the results were limited. 

Still, it signaled a desire to inject more creativity into the final third—even if it meant dropping Lautaro deeper, pairing him with Mkhitaryan (once familiar with that area of the pitch) or Zalewski.

As for Marcus Thuram, he replaced Sebastiano Esposito but looked out of form and is already sidelined with a muscle issue. Meanwhile, Pio Esposito could be available by Saturday.

Tactics, trials, and a blunt approach: Chivu’s early Inter Milan imprint

One of Chivu’s most notable tactical tweaks was implementing zonal marking on corners—but it backfired, as Sergio Ramos evaded Acerbi and punished Inter Milan. More than Sucic—who was proactive but sluggish—the most promising spark in Inter Milan’s debut came from Luis Henrique. 

The Brazilian winger, signed from Marseille for €24 million (£20.4 million), is not yet fully fit but showed he can beat his man and add pace down the right flank—perhaps more than just a backup for Dumfries' power.

In all this, Chivu brings something new: a less diplomatic tone than Inzaghi’s. After the match in Pasadena, he openly criticized his squad’s “lack of hunger and multiple mistakes”, avoiding clichés or excuses.

Chivu has managed to restart Inter Milan’s engine, but against Urawa Reds and River Plate in cool Seattle, he must now fight tooth and nail to advance. Still, that low fuel warning could blink on at any moment.