Inter Milan previews new season, appoints Primavera coach and targets defensive signings

Inter Milan’s 2026/27 campaign officially kicks off on Monday with a training camp at Appiano Gentile, where the squad undergoes medical checks, athletic tests and initial sessions under coach Cristian Chivu. The group will move to Pinetina before travelling to Donaueschingen, Germany for the first phase of the summer preparation, concluding on 26 July with a friendly against Karlsruhe.

After the German stint, Inter will embark on an international tour: a match against Manchester City in Hong Kong on 1 August, a derby versus AC Milan in Perth on 5 August, followed three days later by a fixture with Juventus. The Serie A season opens on 22 August against Monza.

The club is also reshaping its defence. Departures include Denzel Dumfries (Real Madrid) and the expirations of Yann Sommer, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian and Stefan de Vrij. Signed goalkeeper Ivan Provedel and pending signing Anan Khalaili are set to arrive, while Inter’s priority targets are centre‑backs Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea, €40 m) and Jhon Lucumí (Bologna, €28 m clause). Several regulars remain absent from the early camp due to recent World Cup duties.

Emiliano Bigica, former Sassuolo Primavera coach who led the side to a Primavera Scudetto and 2024 Supercoppa, has been appointed head coach of Inter’s Primavera team.