Serie A 2025/26: Can Cristian Chivu Lead Inter Milan Back to Glory? | OneFootball

The 2024/25 season was heartbreaking for Inter Milan as they failed to win a single trophy for the first time under Simone Inzaghi.

Despite being in contention for a famous treble in mid-April, the Nerazzurri ended up empty-handed.

In addition to losing the Serie A title race to Napoli on the final weekend, they suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

As if that wasn’t disturbing enough, Inzaghi announced his decision to take over Al-Hilal just days after the Munich fiasco, ending his four-year association with the San Siro club.

With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup around the corner, Inter had little time to find a suitable replacement, especially after Cesc Fabregas turned them down out of loyalty to Como.

Time was ticking away, forcing the 20-time Italian champions to find a quick solution in the form of former player Cristian Chivu.

Still relatively new to senior management, Chivu brings a degree of uncertainty about what Inter’s ambitions will be next season.

Here is our season preview for 2025/26.

Inter Milan Fixtures

Chivu’s Serie A debut as Inter boss will pit him against perennial mid-table strugglers Torino at the Giuseppe Meazza, with another home clash against Udinese coming right after.

Those matches should serve to prepare the Nerazzurri for the first Derby d’Italia of the season, when they take on arch-rivals Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.

Mid-October marks the beginning of a rough patch for last season’s runners-up as they meet Roma (A), Napoli (A) and Fiorentina (H) in quick succession.

Late November promises to be equally challenging, with Inter set to face Lazio at home before encountering AC Milan in the latest Derby della Madonnina edition.

Inter wrap up their 2025 schedule with a trip to Atalanta before kicking off 2026 at home to Bologna.

Except for a mouth-watering home clash against Napoli on January 18, the start of the new calendar year looks relatively straightforward on paper.

Chivu’s charges welcome Juventus at home for the reverse Derby d’Italia fixture in mid-February and entertain Milan as nominal visitors at the beginning of March.

Their season closes out at Renato Dall’Ara with an exciting game against Bologna.

Manager

As aforementioned, Chivu lacks experience in top-flight management.

His first Serie A role came in the second half of last season when he stepped in at Parma as a wartime manager, steering the Crusaders clear of relegation.

Despite his tactical shortcomings, the 44-year-old is intimately familiar with the club, having been part of Jose Mourinho’s treble-winning team in 2010.

Inter’s Hail Mary comes with the belief that his bond with the second-most successful Serie A team could help steady the ship in uncertain times.

Chivu has already outlined his plans for the Nerazzurri, admitting his intention to stray away from Inzaghi’s trademark 3-5-2 formation to make Inter ‘less predictable.’

However, it remains uncertain whether his energy and hunger for success can offset his limited track record.

Transfers

Often associated with careful spending since Beppe Marotta’s appointment nearly a decade ago, Inter have rarely splashed out on big-name signings.

Marotta has based the club’s transfer policy on seizing market opportunities and signing top players on Bosman deals.

However, he has slightly changed his approach this summer.

Unlike recent years, Inter have been among the protagonists in this summer’s Serie A transfer window.

Versatile midfielder Petar Sucic has arrived from Dinamo Zagreb to increase competition in the middle of the park and potentially succeed Hakan Calhanoglu.

Heavily linked with Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, Calhanoglu has yet to make a decision on his future.

Meanwhile, Inter have spent big to sign talented centre-forward Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma to replace Marko Arnautovic, who left the club as a free agent.

Joaquin Correa has joined Botafogo on favourable terms, while Tajon Buchanan swapped San Siro for Villarreal.

Former Marseille winger Luis Henrique is arguably the most exciting summer addition. Finally, Inter made Nicola Zalewski’s loan move from Roma permanent.

Starting XI

Despite Chivu’s intention to put his stamp on the squad he inherited from Inzaghi, he’s expected to make just minor tweaks, with Inter set to switch from a 3-5-2 to a 3-4-2-1.

Veteran star Yann Sommer has provided a safe pair of hands in goal and will likely remain the first-choice goalkeeper for another season.

With Yann Bisseck’s future in Serie A hanging by a thread, Alessandro Bastoni and Benjamin Pavard remain the only centre-backs guaranteed a place in the starting line-up.

Inter relied heavily on Francesco Acerbi last season, but Stefan de Vrij could leapfrog him in the pecking order this term.

Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco are guaranteed to play on the wings.

Calhanoglu should be a regular starter if he stays. But if he doesn’t, Sucic could partner up with Nicolo Barella at the heart of Inter’s midfield.

One significant change to last season’s set-up could be Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s omission from the first team, with the Nerazzurri set to give Davide Frattesi a more prominent role.

However, much will depend on their pursuit of Ademola Lookman. Chivu views the Nigerian forward as a perfect fit alongside Marcus Thuram, who will play behind Lautaro Martinez in the new formation.

(3-4-2-1): Sommer; Bastoni, De Vrij, Pavard; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Thuram, Frattesi; Martinez.

Star Player

Martinez has been the focal point of Inter’s attack for years.

Last season was below his high standard, even though El Toro showed flashes of his talismanic scoring prowess in the Champions League.

However, if Inter are to reclaim the crown in Serie A, they’ll need their best player to hit his stride again.

The 27-year-old’s goalscoring capacities and leadership skills have always been the cornerstone of Inter’s success.

Nothing should change this term.

Prediction

Inter’s quality is undeniable. In addition to keeping all key players, they’ve reinforced the critical areas of the squad.

However, competition in Serie A is as fierce as it gets, especially with Juventus seeking a return to the throne after spending half a decade in the backwaters.

Napoli and Milan are always there, while Roma could be a potential dark horse now that Gian Piero Gasperini has taken over the managerial reins.

It takes a brave man to bet against the Nerazzurri, but they may have to settle for another runner-up finish.

Predicted finish: 2nd.

How to watch Serie A live this season

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