PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, reacts 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)
Inter Milan face a tough test of their tactical preparedness and fitness in a friendly match against Monaco this evening.
This is noted by Milan-based newspaper the Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCinterNews. They highlight the fact that Monaco’s season begins in just a week and they are therefore more fit than Inter.
Inter Milan have held one friendly match so far – a behind-closed-doors affair between the senior team and the Under-23 team.
But since then, the Nerazzurri have ramped up their preparations further. It has by all accounts been a gruelling, physically intense preseason training period under new coach Cristian Chivu.
And today, Inter will face their first friendly test against European opposition.
The Nerazzurri take on Ligue 1 side Monaco at the Stade Louis II at 20.00 CET.
Inter Facing Tough Test Of Tactics & Fitness In Monaco Friendly
The Gazzetta dello Sport note a couple particularly important aspects of today’s friendly match.
First of all, there is the fact that Monaco will be significantly closer to peak condition.
The French team’s first match of the season is next weekend. Inter’s, by contrast, is more than two weeks away.
Therefore, today’s match will certainly be an interesting window into how much progress Chivu has made in increasing the match-fitness of the team.
Then, the Gazzetta note, today’s friendly will also provide another preview of Chivu’s tactical approach.
The newspaper expect the 44-year-old to switch between the familiar 3-5-2 shape and the 3-4-2-1 formation he’s trying to implement at times during the match.