Report – Cristian Chivu Unable To Count On Four Inter Milan Stars For Opening FIFA Club World Cup Matches | OneFootball

Francesco Pio Esposito, Hakan Calhanoglu, Yann Bisseck, and Piotr Zielinski will miss Inter Milan’s opening Club World Cup matches.

According to FCInterNews, all four players are definite absentees for the curtain-raising group fixture against Monterrey CF.

While the Italian teenager would’ve probably had a marginal role anyway, the other three represent key losses for Inter.

Indeed, Hakan Calhanoglu has been omnipresent in midfield since joining the club from AC Milan in 2021.

Meanwhile, Zielinski would’ve been a decent cover, yet he sustained a calf injury ahead of Poland’s trip to Finland.

Therefore, Cristian Chivu’s midfield options are dwindling.

Chances are newcomer Petar Sucic will embrace the spotlight right from the start.

Esposito, Calhanoglu, Bisseck & Zielinski Will Miss Inter Milan Club World Cup Opener

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale celebrates after his team’s victory in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Yann Bisseck had to watch Germany’s UEFA Nations League matches against Portugal and France on TV.

Furthermore, he probably won’t recover for Inter’s three group-stage outings.

His absence will intensify the pressure on Benjamin Pavard, who struggled in the Champions League final.

Finally, Esposito has been on the sidelines since Spezia’s busted attempt to navigate Serie A promotion playoffs.

As such, his brother Sebastiano will be the only alternative to Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.