Welcome to Innie Milan – where work is life

SPORTIVO
Article arrow_drop_down

Inter walked into Lumen Field like Mark S clocking in at Lumon. They stepped out on the field in much the same way the main character from the TV show Severance gets into the lift at company headquarters and becomes an Innie; Innie Milan, a team that has no knowledge of what’s going on outside of football. Work is their life.

Advertisement

Saturday’s game in Seattle was Inter’s 61st of the season. They are exhausted, but specific files still need refining. For Cold Harbor and Allentown in the TV show, see Urawa Red Diamonds and River Plate. There was even an Eagan watching over everything—Kevin Egan, the DAZN commentator in the U.S.

The addition of the Club World Cup to the football calendar has brought some of the themes of Severance to the greatest show on turf. Exploitation and capitalism. Autonomy versus control. The meaning of work. Is this still a game?

“If you’re not inside this world, it is hard to understand the sacrifices a player makes,” Inter centre-back Alessandro Bastoni told the podcast Supernova in April. “We play so much that we’re always away from our families.”

The Club World Cup is the fifth competition Inter have participated in this season. This, as Bastoni explained, is like having a Severance chip implanted. Inter have dorms at their training ground in Appiano Gentile. In fairness, it feels like a luxury spa but this reflects a longstanding tradition in Italian football, where teams spend the night before a match together — even for home games — to sharpen focus and prepare more thoroughly for their opponent.


Bastoni has spoken about the realities of life on the road (Photo: Mattia Ozbot – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)

Between the Euros, Serie A, Coppa Italia, Super Cup, Champions League, Nations League, World Cup qualifiers and Club World Cup, football is Lumon.

“The conversation always boils down to ‘eh, but you earn millions’,” Bastoni said. “But for me that’s completely wrong: time is priceless and no one can give it back to you… I sleep at home two or three nights a week.”

Or none at all when a major tournament is going on in some foreign land. Arguably no team has spent more time on the SVR’d Floor of football than Inter this season. And while they are not completely severed from their Outie, they may as well be.

Advertisement

Inter shine a light on the indifference of the football calendar.

After losing the Champions League final 5-0 to PSG in Munich, the players really needed to get away. Instead, Bastoni, Davide Frattesi and Nicolo Barella reported for international duty in Florence.

A week had not passed and they were in Oslo for a critical World Cup qualifier against Norway. Little of the analysis that followed Italy’s 3-0 defeat factored in the wear and tear, the mental strain. Inter’s players could have used a lie down, some R&R, a cocktail with an umbrella. The distraction of friends and family would have been welcome.

Instead they boarded a flight to Los Angeles for the Club World Cup.

The execs couldn’t rest either. Simone Inzaghi’s decision to leave Inter after their defeat in Munich meant they were without a coach. Reaching the Champions League final had extended their season by a week and rivals with vacancies of their own to fill were able to use that time to take more established coaches like Max Allegri off the board.

Inter were instead stuck in a flow state that became a doom loop. Attempts to hire Cesc Fabregas were complicated by his stake in Como. He would need to sell his shares in order to avoid a conflict of interest. That would take time — time Inter didn’t have — and besides, he was happy by the lake.

Forty-eight hours before taking off for L.A., Inter appointed Cristian Chivu, a member of their treble-winning team in 2010. There was no time to unveil him in Milan. His presentation doubled instead as a pre-Monterrey press conference.

Seven of the players who started against PSG were in Chivu’s first XI at the Rose Bowl. The 3-5-2 was the same as they played under Inzaghi. Inter clocked in again. The lift dinged. They were back on the SVR’d Floor, the Club World Cup logo figuring as a golden hamster wheel.


Inter prepare for another turn around the hamster wheel (Photo: Mattia Ozbot – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)

Perhaps unsurprisingly in this context, Inter fell behind against Monterrey as they did against Urawa Red Diamonds. Games needed to be chased. The tension never eased.

In between these matches, Francesco Acerbi snapped. A fan came to Inter training wearing a PSG shirt and had the cheek make a comment about how he defended against Bradley Barcola. “I’m a serious person,” Acerbi fired back. “I don’t like being made fun of. I come over (to sign an autograph) and that’s OK. But if I turn and hear ‘Acerbi-Barcola’, no. That’s why I’m mad. I’ll fill you in.”

Advertisement

Inter came back to draw against Monterrey. They came back to beat Urawa Red Diamonds. Lautaro equalised in both games and in both, Inter deserved to win. It was a relief to Chivu. He had overhauled his back three, fielded a trio of left-sided wing-backs simultaneously, and tried to play the kids.

This was no an experiment either. It was something of a necessity. Chivu was reluctant to start Bastoni, Acerbi, and Mkhitaryan again. Marcus Thuram and Davide Frattesi are injured, as is Hakan Calhanoglu, whose father keeps dropping hints about a move to Galatasaray. Mehdi Taremi is stranded in Iran.

All of this has meant Chivu has had to speed up the rejuvenation Inter’s owners wanted to affect this summer. Hired, in part, because of his past in the youth sector, he has played the academy graduates who were either sent out on loan or bought back. He has given minutes to new signings Luis Henrique and Petar Sucic, who arrived in the mini, one-off window FIFA opened ahead of the Club World Cup.


Carboni wins the game (Photo: Mattia Ozbot – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)

It was therefore fitting that one of the next generaton, Valentin Carboni, got the stoppage-time winner against Urawa.

As in Severance (spoiler alert), divergent priorities keep the dramatic tension high with Inter. A 62nd game of the season is due to take place against River Plate at Lumen Field on Thursday. Depending on the outcome, a 63rd, a 64th, 65th and 66th could follow.

On the one hand, Inter desperately need rescuing from more football. And yet, as the season drags on and on, Innie Milan act like they don’t want to leave after all. They want to stay in — for the prize money, out of innate competitiveness, for the shot at redemption the Club World Cup promises.

It is a story about divided selves, conflicting emotions, love of the game and a troubled work-life balance. The next episode — River Plate — will be here before you know it.

It likely won’t be the last.

(Photo: Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

About the author

About the author call_made

SPORTIVO

More posts

trending_flat
NBA Finals Game 7 prediction: Thunder vs. Pacers odds, picks, best bets and why one trend will be bucked

The 2025 NBA championship will be decided Sunday night. It's NBA Finals Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. It's the NBA's first Game 7 since 2016, and it will be a historic title for either team. The Thunder are seeking their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City. The Pacers are looking for their first NBA title ever. Indy won championships in the ABA in the 1970s, but never the NBA Finals.The Pacers forced this Game 7 with a blowout win in Game 6 on Thursday. Indiana used a huge second quarter run, great defense and a balanced attack to pull away. The pressure is on the Thunder at home. OKC is still favored to win Game 7, and the team has been mostly excellent on its home court this postseason.The Thunder already won one Game […]

trending_flat
NBA DFS picks: FanDuel, DraftKings daily Fantasy basketball advice for Thunder vs. Pacers, NBA Finals Game 7

A new NBA champion will be crowned on Sunday when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The Pacers forced Sunday's Game 7 matchup with their 108-91 blowout win on Thursday. Forward Pascal Siakam was outstanding in the win, scoring 16 points to go with 13 rebounds. Siakam joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Tyrese Haliburton as the headliners in the Game 7 NBA DFS player pool. Other top NBA DFS picks include Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Aaron Nesmith, and Obi Toppin.Tip-off for Game 7 is at 8 p.m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Should you build your NBA DFS lineups and NBA DFS stacks around SGA and Williams? If so, which more economical options can you surround these high-priced stars with to form a winning NBA DFS […]

Xabi Alonso não alivia para Vinícius Júnior e ‘cobra’ atacante do Real Madrid no Mundial: “Queremos que seja decisivo”

Vinícius Júnior, atacante do Real Madrid - Divulgação/Site oficial Atacante brasileiro não atravessa boa fase na equipe espanhola e tem hoje nova oportunidade de mostrar serviço Real Madrid x Pachuca se enfrentam neste domingo, às 16h (de Brasília), pela segunda rodada da Copa do Mundo de Clubes. Antes da partida, o técnico Xabi Alonso amenizou o momento em baixa de Vinícius Júnior. Na estreia contra o Al Hilal, o atacante da seleção brasileira pouco contribuiu e acabou sendo substituído no segundo tempo. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Apesar das críticas da imprensa local, o treinador espanhol acredita na capacidade do atacante, o qual considera ser “único e imprevisível”. Entretanto, admitiu que espera ver o quanto antes sua melhor versão em campo. “Eu o vejo jogando bem, mas todos queremos que ele seja decisivo. Vinícius tem essa qualidade e esse futebol imprevisível. Quando ele […]

trending_flat
3 best NBA player props, Pacers vs. Thunder Game 7 odds: Use SGA, Myles Turner in 2025 NBA Finals picks, bets

The final game of the 2024-25 NBA season takes place on Sunday with Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. OKC is a 7-point favorite, while the over/under is 214.5. This has been a roller coaster of a series, providing profitable opportunities on Overs and Unders depending on which side of NBA player props you explored on betting sites. It all culminates with a Game 7 on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. Our model projects Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to showcase one more time why he was the NBA MVP this year and expects him to go Over in multiple NBA player props. However, the model finds the best value in playing SGA Over 43.5 total points + rebounds + assists in the Thunder vs. Pacers prop bets. Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded 10 straight 30-point playoff games […]

Textor exalta vitórias de Botafogo, Flamengo e Palmeiras no Mundial de Clubes: “Temos os melhores jogadores”

John Textor em evento do Botafogo (foto: Leandro Gervasio/BFR) Empresário também valorizou a Libertadores vencida pelo Glorioso na temporada 2024 e destacou a vitória sobre o PSG, no Estados Unidos  O futebol brasileiro é um dos protagonistas na fase de grupos do Mundial de Clubes 2025. Todos os representantes do país pentacampeão mundial venceram pelo menos um jogo. O Botafogo derrotou PSG e Seattle Sounders. O Flamengo superou Chelsea e Espérance. O Palmeiras ganhou do Al-Ahly. E o Fluminense fez mais gols que o Ulsan Hyundai.  PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Em evento realizado na cidade de Los Angeles, o dono da SAF botafoguense, John Textor, destacou a repercussão internacional de tais resultados. O investidor também elogiou rivais como Flamengo e Palmeiras. Além disso, fez questão de enaltecer os atletas que jogam no Brasil.  “Sei que não gostamos de ver o Flamengo vencer, […]

trending_flat
2025 NBA Finals odds, Game 7 prediction: Pacers vs. Thunder picks, best bets by NBA expert on 168-91 run

The NBA championship will be decided when the Indiana Pacers battle the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Sunday. Indiana forced the series to go the distance with a 108-91 win on Thursday. The Pacers (50-32), who are seeking their first championship since winning the 1973 ABA title, are 7-4 on the road during the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Thunder (68-14), who can win their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008, are 10-2 on their home floor this postseason.Tipoff from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is set for 8 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City has won five of eight meetings this season. The Thunder are 7-point favorites in the latest Pacers vs. Thunder odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 214.5. The Thunder are -265 money-line favorites […]

Related

trending_flat
NBA Finals Game 7 prediction: Thunder vs. Pacers odds, picks, best bets and why one trend will be bucked

The 2025 NBA championship will be decided Sunday night. It's NBA Finals Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. It's the NBA's first Game 7 since 2016, and it will be a historic title for either team. The Thunder are seeking their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City. The Pacers are looking for their first NBA title ever. Indy won championships in the ABA in the 1970s, but never the NBA Finals.The Pacers forced this Game 7 with a blowout win in Game 6 on Thursday. Indiana used a huge second quarter run, great defense and a balanced attack to pull away. The pressure is on the Thunder at home. OKC is still favored to win Game 7, and the team has been mostly excellent on its home court this postseason.The Thunder already won one Game […]

trending_flat
NBA DFS picks: FanDuel, DraftKings daily Fantasy basketball advice for Thunder vs. Pacers, NBA Finals Game 7

A new NBA champion will be crowned on Sunday when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The Pacers forced Sunday's Game 7 matchup with their 108-91 blowout win on Thursday. Forward Pascal Siakam was outstanding in the win, scoring 16 points to go with 13 rebounds. Siakam joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Tyrese Haliburton as the headliners in the Game 7 NBA DFS player pool. Other top NBA DFS picks include Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Aaron Nesmith, and Obi Toppin.Tip-off for Game 7 is at 8 p.m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Should you build your NBA DFS lineups and NBA DFS stacks around SGA and Williams? If so, which more economical options can you surround these high-priced stars with to form a winning NBA DFS […]

Xabi Alonso não alivia para Vinícius Júnior e ‘cobra’ atacante do Real Madrid no Mundial: “Queremos que seja decisivo”

Vinícius Júnior, atacante do Real Madrid - Divulgação/Site oficial Atacante brasileiro não atravessa boa fase na equipe espanhola e tem hoje nova oportunidade de mostrar serviço Real Madrid x Pachuca se enfrentam neste domingo, às 16h (de Brasília), pela segunda rodada da Copa do Mundo de Clubes. Antes da partida, o técnico Xabi Alonso amenizou o momento em baixa de Vinícius Júnior. Na estreia contra o Al Hilal, o atacante da seleção brasileira pouco contribuiu e acabou sendo substituído no segundo tempo. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Apesar das críticas da imprensa local, o treinador espanhol acredita na capacidade do atacante, o qual considera ser “único e imprevisível”. Entretanto, admitiu que espera ver o quanto antes sua melhor versão em campo. “Eu o vejo jogando bem, mas todos queremos que ele seja decisivo. Vinícius tem essa qualidade e esse futebol imprevisível. Quando ele […]

trending_flat
3 best NBA player props, Pacers vs. Thunder Game 7 odds: Use SGA, Myles Turner in 2025 NBA Finals picks, bets

The final game of the 2024-25 NBA season takes place on Sunday with Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. OKC is a 7-point favorite, while the over/under is 214.5. This has been a roller coaster of a series, providing profitable opportunities on Overs and Unders depending on which side of NBA player props you explored on betting sites. It all culminates with a Game 7 on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. Our model projects Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to showcase one more time why he was the NBA MVP this year and expects him to go Over in multiple NBA player props. However, the model finds the best value in playing SGA Over 43.5 total points + rebounds + assists in the Thunder vs. Pacers prop bets. Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded 10 straight 30-point playoff games […]

Textor exalta vitórias de Botafogo, Flamengo e Palmeiras no Mundial de Clubes: “Temos os melhores jogadores”

John Textor em evento do Botafogo (foto: Leandro Gervasio/BFR) Empresário também valorizou a Libertadores vencida pelo Glorioso na temporada 2024 e destacou a vitória sobre o PSG, no Estados Unidos  O futebol brasileiro é um dos protagonistas na fase de grupos do Mundial de Clubes 2025. Todos os representantes do país pentacampeão mundial venceram pelo menos um jogo. O Botafogo derrotou PSG e Seattle Sounders. O Flamengo superou Chelsea e Espérance. O Palmeiras ganhou do Al-Ahly. E o Fluminense fez mais gols que o Ulsan Hyundai.  PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Em evento realizado na cidade de Los Angeles, o dono da SAF botafoguense, John Textor, destacou a repercussão internacional de tais resultados. O investidor também elogiou rivais como Flamengo e Palmeiras. Além disso, fez questão de enaltecer os atletas que jogam no Brasil.  “Sei que não gostamos de ver o Flamengo vencer, […]

trending_flat
2025 NBA Finals odds, Game 7 prediction: Pacers vs. Thunder picks, best bets by NBA expert on 168-91 run

The NBA championship will be decided when the Indiana Pacers battle the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Sunday. Indiana forced the series to go the distance with a 108-91 win on Thursday. The Pacers (50-32), who are seeking their first championship since winning the 1973 ABA title, are 7-4 on the road during the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Thunder (68-14), who can win their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008, are 10-2 on their home floor this postseason.Tipoff from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is set for 8 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City has won five of eight meetings this season. The Thunder are 7-point favorites in the latest Pacers vs. Thunder odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 214.5. The Thunder are -265 money-line favorites […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity.

About SPORTIVO

Sportivo Network is a dedicated social platform for sports enthusiasts, athletes, and scouts. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete looking for opportunities, a coach searching for talent, or simply a sports lover wanting to connect with like-minded people, Sportivo is your go-to network. With features like direct messaging, profile showcasing, and talent scouting, Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity. Here, you can share your achievements, interact with professionals, and open doors to the next level in your sports journey. Join Sportivo Network – because every great athlete deserves to be discovered!
Copyright © 2025 SPORTIVO News. and SPORTIVO Network. All rights reserved.

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation