Crіѕtіаn Chivu officially began a nеw era іn hіѕ coaching саrееr as he led Intеr Mіlаn fоr the first time аѕ hеаd соасh. The Romanian tactician made his managerial debut for the senior team in a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 clash against Monterrey, held at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in California on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Inter initially trailed after Sergio Ramos netted for Monterrey in the 25th minute, but Lautaro Martínez brought the Nerazzurri level just before halftime with a well-taken goal in the 42nd minute. While the result wasn’t ideal, the match served as a glimpse into what the future might hold for Inter under their new manager.
Following years of relative stability under Simone Inzaghi, Inter now enters a transitional phase. Chivu—once a rock-solid defender for both club and country, and more recently a successful youth coach at Inter and briefly at Parma—has been entrusted to guide the first team into a new chapter.
Although it’s too early to make sweeping conclusions, Chivu’s debut did offer several insights. Here’s a breakdown of the five major takeaways from his first match in charge:
1. Player Fitness Proves to Be an Immediate Hurdle
One of the first issues to surface under Chivu’s reign is the lack of match fitness among several players. This was something Chivu addressed candidly during the post-match press conference.
“They’ve barely had time to train with us, and we asked them to be ready straight away,” he told Sky Sports Italia.
“They tried their best, and I did see some promising moments, but clearly, it’s tough when you’re not in top shape,” he added.
With limited preparation time and a packed preseason schedule ahead, improving the squad’s overall fitness and cohesion will be one of Chivu’s top short-term challenges. The sluggish rhythm in parts of the match reflected a team still far from its physical peak.
2. Zonal Marking Experiment Still Needs Work
A key tactical shift under Chivu was observed in how Inter dealt with set-pieces. The team employed a zonal marking system, moving away from the man-oriented approach favored by Inzaghi. Notably, Sergio Ramos was given individual attention, which suggests a hybrid system in development.
Unfortunately, this strategy didn’t pay off as intended—Ramos scored Monterrey’s opener from a set-piece, exposing defensive confusion and unfamiliarity with the new marking scheme.
In the second half, Chivu’s attempt to implement a high pressing system further highlighted the transition phase. While the idea was bold, it left Inter vulnerable to Monterrey’s counterattacks, showing that the team is still adjusting tactically.
3. Lack of Attacking Depth Raises Concerns
Chivu started thе mаtсh wіth Lаutаrо Mаrtínеz раіrеd alongside Sebastiano Esposito in thе frоnt lіnе. Hоwеvеr, Eѕроѕіtо struggled tо make аn іmрасt аnd was replaced bу Mаrсuѕ Thuram іn the second hаlf.
With both Joaquín Correa and Marko Arnautović having departed, Inter is currently short on reliable attacking options. The Monterrey game highlighted this gap starkly. Thuram showed more urgency, but Inter clearly needs to reinforce its attacking department if they aim to be competitive on multiple fronts this season.
A quality striker who can either complement Lautaro or provide an alternative in rotation must be a transfer priority going forward.
4. Mixed Performances from New Signings
Chіvu handed a debut tо Luіѕ Hеnrіԛuе, who dеlіvеrеd a promising performance. The young winger showed confidence in one-on-one situations and wasn’t afraid to take risks. However, he still lacks consistency and needs time to fully adapt to the pace and tactical expectations of top-level European football.
Another new face, Petar Sucic, came off the bench in the second half but looked uncomfortable. The midfielder struggled to fit into Chivu’s three-man midfield system, which contrasts with the double-pivot setup he was previously used to. His positioning and decision-making will need to improve if he is to become a regular contributor.
5. Tactical Flexibility Emerges as a New Identity
Perhaps the most defining feature of Chivu’s debut was his willingness to tinker with formations and roles throughout the match. Inter started in their familiar three-at-the-back setup but switched to a four-man defense in the final 30 minutes.
During the tactical reshuffle, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was pushed forward as an attacking midfielder behind the front two of Lautaro and Thuram. Later in the match, Chivu adjusted again, pulling Lautaro slightly deeper and adding Nicola Zalewski into a more central role behind a lone striker.
These constant tweaks suggest that Chivu is building a flexible and adaptive tactical model. While the team’s execution still needs work, the willingness to move away from rigid formations is a promising sign of innovation in the post-Inzaghi era.
Chivu’s Era Begins with Growing Pains and Glimpses of Promise
While Inter Milan’s 1-1 draw with Monterrey may not have delivered fireworks, it laid the groundwork for what could become a compelling new chapter under Cristian Chivu. From fitness concerns and tactical experiments to transfer needs and youth integration, Chivu’s debut offered a mix of challenges and potential.
As the Club World Cup continues and preseason intensifies, all eyes will be on how quickly Chivu can instill his ideas and find the right balance in his squad. The end of the three-back system may not be official yet, but signs of evolution are clearly underway.
Inter’s journey into a new tactical identity has begun—and it promises to be anything but predictable.
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