Youth Storm? Inter Milan won the first victory of 7 U23 in the Club World Cup, and its average age is finally smaller than its opponent

In the early morning of June 22, a focus battle was staged in the second round of the 2025 Club World Cup group stage. Serie A Nerazzurri Inter Milan reversed Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 and won their first victory in this tournament. In this game, Inter Milan sent a total of 7 U23 players, and the average age of the starting lineup was finally younger than the opponent. More importantly, it was the three young players who joined forces at the last moment that they won a hard-won victory for Inter Milan. In the first group match of the Club World Cup, Inter Milan drew 1-1 with the Monterrey team Monterrey, and the players' physical and mental exhaustion can be seen by the naked eye. In this game, facing Urawa Red Diamonds from Asia, coach Zivo sent Sebastiano Esposito, Luis Enrique, Zalevski, Aslani and other players who were only 23 years old in the starting lineup. The average age of the 11 starting players has also dropped to 27.5 years old, nearly one year younger than the Urawa Red Diamonds on the opposite side. In most games this season, Inter Milan's 11 starters have an average of 30+ years.

In the 11th minute of the game, Inter Milan suffered a blow, and Watanabe Ryomo's goal left them behind for two consecutive games. In the following time, the Japanese team returned to defense and made a intensive defensive formation, leaving Inter Milan, who lacked several main players, helpless for a while. At the critical moment, Zivo made every move and sent Pio Esposito, who was 1.91 meters tall, increasing the height of Inter Milan's frontcourt and physical strength of physical confrontation. Then, Barentine Calbonni, who had just recovered from injury, also took the lead. In the 78th minute, Lautaro equalized the score with a wonderful inverted golden hook. In the 85th minute, 21-year-old Sucic appeared and replaced Louis Enrique. In the second minute of injury time, Sucic's powerful shot was blocked, Pio Esposito grabbed the ball, and then 20-year-old Calbonni scored a goal. The three young men joined forces to give a final shot, helping Inter Milan win a precious victory. In this game, Inter Milan played simply and roughly in the second half but had a very good effect. Several young men who were very strong inspiring their energy into the team. 19-year-old Pio Esposito played in the second half with an injury, giving away a fatal assist, and contributed 4 shots, 1 successful breakthrough and 1 key pass. He scored 3 times in the top 2 times and won 3 times in the ground-to-face battle. Calbonni, who had been on the 10-month quit due to a serious ligament injury, won Inter Milan's first goal in his first game and completed a final victory. Although Sucic, who had just arrived at the team in Xia Tian, ​​only played for 10 minutes, his last shot indirectly triggered a melee in the penalty area, which ultimately allowed Inter Milan to complete the final victory.

In addition, 23-year-old Aslani, Zagnolo and Luis Enrique, and 22-year-old Sebastiano Esposito also played diligently in this game. Although not all performed very well, their efforts have invisibly contributed to Inter Milan's victory. In the new season, some of them may not necessarily stay at Inter, but no matter where they go, they should not forget this difficult but exciting night.