A day after Serie A giants Inter Milan were stunned at the Club World Cup by Brazilian side Fluminese, the fallout continues, as I Nerazzurri now turn their attention to the next Scudetto campaign.
Inter’s Champions League humiliation at the hands of PSG is still a painful memory for players and fans, and captain Lautaro Martinez didn’t hold back after his team lost 2-0 to the Brazilians on Monday.
“Anyone who doesn’t want to be here should leave,” he said amidst the disappointment of defeat. He was clearly annoyed following his club’s exit at the Round of 16 stage in North Carolina.
Both Martinez and Federico Dimarco hit the woodwork during the match, while Inter’s defensive mix-ups gave Fluminese a pass through to the quarterfinals. Martinez continued: “We certainly were not in the match in the first half; we gave the ball away far too many times. The coach gave us a strong push. We have a clear message, anyone who wants to stay must stay, and who doesn’t should leave.”
Martinez have been taking a swipe at former manager Simone Inzaghi, who left the club to manage Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, but it may also be that his comments were aimed at Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, who is rumoured to be pushing for a move to Galatasaray in his home country.
Inter’s new manager Cristian Chivu leapt to his captain’s defense, saying: “We’re winners; sometimes we show our pride and character. I also said the same kind of things in the press conference that we all have to stay in the same boat. He said the same kind of things, but without holding back.”
Calhanoglu’s wife, Sinem Gundogdu didn’t hold back either as she posted on social media: “Some people aren’t loyal to you. They’re loyal to their need for you.”
Vlahovic is staying put in Turin for now
Inter Milan will face Juventus very early in the campaign and, in other Serie A 2025 news, I Bianconeri are wrestling with the problem of their Serbian striker, Dusan Vlahovic, who is entering the final year of his contract at Juventus.
However, he has just turned down a lucrative offer from Al-Ahli to play in the Saudi Pro League. With his wages rising to £12 million this season, Vlahovic is the highest-paid player in the Italian top-flight, and that is a liability the Old Lady would like to get rid of, as well as recouping something in terms of a sale fee. But reports in Italy suggest the Serb is happy to run his contract down and pick up a deal elsewhere in 12 months’ time.
As Vlahovic has turned down £24 million from Al Ahli, Juventus have been trying to renegotiate a new deal with their striker. But while the player is not just money motivated, I seriously doubt his agent will suggest he agrees to a wage cut, so this situation is moving nowhere fast.
And that is a frustration also to Premier League club Manchester United, who had Vlahovic on their shopping list as a striker who can score goals. To make matters worse for the Red Devils, it seems another of their targets, 26-year-old Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, is also being courted by the Old Lady.
Modric for Milan, but maybe not Xhaka
The Serie A 2025 betting odds say AC Milan, along with Inter Milan, Juventus, and Scudetto holders Napoli will be the top four in the coming season, and new Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri is working hard to strengthen his hand.
39-year-old Croatian legend Luka Modric has agreed to join the club on a one-year deal, after a glittering career at Real Madrid. Modric still has plenty to offer and will get significant game time at the San Siro, but it seems I Rossoneri’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen midfield enforcer Granit Xhaka is cooling.
The former Arsenal star is open to a move to Milan, but reports in Italy say the club is concerned by his wages and the potential fee, and in Modric, they have already recruited an experienced leader. In any case, Milan have traditionally pushed younger players through and, with the likes of 18-year-old Mattia Liberali, featured here at SBOTOP in the first team group, Allegri can afford to be choosy when he brings new men in.
Xhaka could certainly be an asset, but there is work to do to keep that deal alive, and it will be interesting to see if Milan’s appetite for the move has gone.
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