Chivu: Inter must find ‘energies’ against Urawa Red Diamonds | OneFootball

Inter coach Cristian Chivu urges his men to find ‘the right energies’ to face Urawa Red Diamonds in the Club World Cup after ‘nine months of battles.’

The Nerazzurri return to the pitch today after a 1-1 draw against Monterrey in their Club World Cup opener earlier this week.

They meet Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds, at the Lumen Field in Seattle at 12:00 local time (21:00 CET).

“Before we analyse tomorrow’s game, we always have to remember that we are at the end of the season, the team has been through nine months of battles,” Chivu said at a pre-match press conference via Inter’s official website.

“We need to find the right energies to face a match like this, against an opponent that displays order in terms of technique as well as tactics, on top of that, they feature both European and South American elements. It will be a tough game, as the others”

Pio Esposito set to start for Inter

FERRARA, ITALY – MARCH 26: Francesco Pio Esposito of Italy U21 during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and Turkey U21 at Stadio Paolo Mazza on March 26, 2024 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Francesco Pio Esposito is tipped to start up front.

“I’ve known Pio since he was just over 13 years of age: we grew up together, I had the honour to be his coach, he was the captain of the Under 20, under my guidance,” said Chivu.

“In the last two Serie B seasons, he has gained valuable experience that has allowed him to grow both physically and mentally. He’s only trained twice with us, we will have the chance to see him out on the pitch, maybe from the start or as a sub.”

“The second game of the group phase is really important, considering also the results of the first one, we need this to go through to the next round. I like Japanese football, I find it tidy and disciplined, from a tactical point of view, Urawa are precise and neat technically,” Chivu continued.

“Gustafson is a player I like; he’s got good physical and technical qualities.”

The new Nerazzurri boss was happy with the team’s attitude against Monterrey but will be looking for more ruthlessness in front of the goal later today.

Chivu Inter showed ‘pride’ in Club World Cup opener

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: (L-R) Sergio Ramos #93 of CF Monterrey embraces Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“We’ve shown our pride as well as a nice reaction,” he said.

“We were slightly slow in the movement, I would like to improve on this front as well as in finishing.

“This isn’t a summer training camp for us, we can’t remove all the certainties that a team relies on to play on the pitch, a consolidated dynamic that produced a lot, thanks to experienced players,” he added.

“It’s all down to how you see this matter: how do you consider the midfielders, and what about those who find space?

“It was nice back in Los Angeles, we trained well at the UCLA facilities. We had a training session here in a likewise spectacular facility. It’s true that it is colder here, but that doesn’t make a difference; we are here to play. I want to thank the organisers for providing us with such nice facilities.”

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Chivu has clear ideas about what he wants to see from his team in their second Club World Cup match.

“We would all want a team that can dominate, that can bring out their technical qualities, as well as the eagerness to keep the game under control, pace the game and find solutions,” he said.

“This is the dream of any coach. This is what we want to achieve, we will need time, and now we haven’t got much, but we’ll try starting from this game.”

New Inter signing Luis Henrique is expected to start for the Nerazzurri, replacing the injured Denzel Dumfries.

The likes of Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, Marcus Thuram and Piotr Zielinski are also unavailable.