Inter Milan didn’t just win—they dominated. A 5-1 thrashing of Venezia at San Siro/Giuseppe Meazza on December 3, 2025, sent a clear message to the rest of the Coppa Italia field: the Nerazzurri are serious about lifting their tenth trophy. The match, played under chilly Milanese skies at 20:00 UTC, saw Inter Milan’s temporary manager Cristian Chivu deploy a surprising 3-5-2 formation, a tactical shift from Simone Inzaghi’s usual 3-4-1-2. And it worked—brilliantly.
Thuram’s Double and the Rise of a Young Gun
Marcus Thuram didn’t just score twice—he turned the game into a showcase. His first goal, a clinical finish in the 34th minute, came after a slick one-two with Francesco Pio Esposito, who had opened the scoring just two minutes earlier. The second, in the 51st, was pure power: a 20-yard strike that flew past Venezia’s keeper like a missile. Thuram, who was named Player of the Match by FotMob, looked every bit the striker Inter fans hoped he’d become when he arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach. His movement, his finishing, his presence—it all clicked.But the real story behind the scoreline? The emergence of Andy Diouf. The 22-year-old French midfielder, often sidelined in Serie A, started and delivered. His 18th-minute goal—slipping between two defenders before slotting low—was the spark. Diouf’s work rate, his ability to press high and recycle possession, made him the engine of Inter’s early dominance. For a player who’s been linked with a January move to Ligue 1, this was his chance to say: “I belong here.”
The Wantaway Star and the Tactical Gamble
Then there’s Davide Frattesi. The 25-year-old Rome native, whose name has been swirling in transfer rumors since summer, started in central midfield and looked like a man playing with a point to prove. He wasn’t flashy, but he was everywhere—winning duels, intercepting passes, threading passes to Thuram and Piotr Zielinski. Frattesi’s contract runs until 2027, but with Inter’s midfield already stacked and interest from Roma and Napoli growing, this match may have been his last stand as a Nerazzurri starter. Fans watched closely. Some clapped. Others held their breath.Chivu’s decision to go 3-5-2 was bold. It left Venezia’s wingers exposed, and Inter’s wing-backs—Carlos Augusto and Andy Diouf—exploited that space relentlessly. It wasn’t just about attacking; it was about control. Inter had 68% possession. They took 21 shots. Nine were on target. Venezia? Three shots. One on target. The gulf in quality was stark.
Venezia’s Fight in the Shadows
Don’t mistake the scoreline for a lack of effort from Venezia FC. The Serie B side, making their first Round of 16 appearance since 2021-22, fought hard. Richie Sagrado pulled one back in the 66th minute with a curling shot that gave the visiting fans a moment of hope. But the goal felt like a consolation, not a catalyst. Venezia’s defense, led by veteran Alfred Duncan, looked out of sync. Their midfield trio—Emil Bohinen, Richie Sagrado, and Alfred Duncan—simply couldn’t match Inter’s intensity.For Venezia, the cup run was a dream. Now it’s over. They’ll return to Serie B, where survival is the only goal. But they’ll carry this game with them. They played at San Siro. They scored. They weren’t crushed by humiliation—just by superiority.
What’s Next? Milan Derby Looms
Inter’s next challenge? The Milan derby. On December 7, 2025, they’ll face AC Milan at the same San Siro/Giuseppe Meazza stadium. That match will be a litmus test: Can this version of Inter, managed by a caretaker coach, hold up under pressure? Or was this just a Coppa Italia warm-up? The answer matters. Serie A is still tight. Champions League spots are still in play. And with Inzaghi expected back soon, Chivu’s brief reign may be remembered as a tactical experiment that worked.Meanwhile, Venezia’s next match is December 6 against Palermo in Serie B. A win there could be the difference between mid-table safety and a relegation scrap. Their cup dream ended. Their league fight continues.
Behind the Scenes: Injuries, Substitutes, and the Road Ahead
Inter’s injury list—Denzel Dumfries, Matteo Darmian, and Raffaele Di Gennaro—remains a concern. But the depth showed. Substitutes like Ange-Yoan Bonny (who scored the fifth goal) and Hakan Calhanoglu (who came on late) proved the squad’s quality isn’t just on paper.Prize money for advancing to the quarterfinals? €500,000 from the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. Not life-changing, but symbolic. It’s about legacy. Inter have won the Coppa Italia nine times. The tenth is within reach. And with Thuram firing, Diouf rising, and Frattesi proving he’s more than just a rumor, this team feels different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Cristian Chivu managing Inter instead of Simone Inzaghi?
Simone Inzaghi was reportedly on personal leave during the match, with assistant coach Cristian Chivu stepping in for the Coppa Italia fixture. This is common practice in Italian football, where managers often delegate cup games to allow rest or focus on league priorities. Chivu’s tactical shift to a 3-5-2 was widely seen as an experiment to test squad depth ahead of the Milan derby.
How significant is Marcus Thuram’s performance for Inter’s season?
Thuram’s two goals and Player of the Match award signal a turning point. After a slow start to the season, he’s now Inter’s most consistent finisher. With Lautaro Martínez often marked tightly, Thuram’s ability to stretch defenses and score from distance could be crucial in tight Serie A clashes. His form may also influence Inter’s decision on whether to extend his contract beyond 2027.
What does Davide Frattesi’s start mean for his transfer future?
Frattesi’s performance against Venezia likely cooled transfer interest—for now. Roma and Napoli were monitoring him closely, but his disciplined, box-to-box display showed he’s still vital to Inter’s midfield rotation. A move in January isn’t impossible, but this game suggests he’s more valuable staying put, especially if Inzaghi returns and integrates him into the 3-4-1-2.
Why did Venezia struggle so much defensively?
Venezia’s 3-5-2 formation left them exposed to Inter’s wing-backs, especially Diouf and Augusto. Their center-backs, aged 28 and 30, lacked the pace to track runs, and their midfield didn’t provide cover. Inter’s pressing forced errors, and Venezia’s lack of experience in high-stakes cup games showed. They’ve never reached the quarterfinals since 2002—this was their closest shot in decades.
How does this result affect Inter’s chances in the Coppa Italia?
Inter are now clear favorites. With a strong squad, home advantage in later rounds, and Thuram in form, they’re one of the few teams with the depth to win the tournament. Their last title came in 2022-23. A tenth trophy would tie them with Juventus for the most in history. They’ll face either Lazio or Fiorentina in the quarterfinals, depending on other results.
What’s the financial impact of this win for Venezia?
While Venezia didn’t advance, they still earned €250,000 for reaching the Round of 16—significant for a Serie B club. That money helps balance their budget and fund youth development. Their cup run also boosted merchandise sales and local sponsorships. Though they lost, their visibility across Italy increased dramatically, which could pay dividends in future transfer negotiations and fan engagement.
Comments
Crystal Zárifa
Thuram’s second goal was basically a physics experiment gone right. That shot didn’t just hit the net-it broke the sound barrier and left the Venezia keeper questioning his life choices. I’m not even mad, I’m impressed.
December 4, 2025 at 22:17
Serena May
LOL. Diouf? More like Diouf-teen. 😏
December 5, 2025 at 22:29
Cheryl Jonah
Wait… Chivu’s managing? That’s not even a coincidence. I’ve seen the footage. Inter’s board replaced Inzaghi with Chivu because they’re secretly testing a mind-control algorithm on the team. The 3-5-2? It’s not a formation-it’s a signal. The real match is happening in a bunker in Switzerland.
December 6, 2025 at 07:25
James Otundo
Let’s be real-this wasn’t football, it was a masterclass in cultural hegemony disguised as sport. Thuram’s movement? Pure Bourdieuan capital. Diouf’s pressing? A neoliberal reclamation of spatial sovereignty. And don’t even get me started on how Venezia’s defensive structure reflects the collapse of post-industrial labor in Southern Europe. This match was a metaphor. And you’re all just watching the highlights.
December 7, 2025 at 12:37
Sarah Day
So happy for Diouf! He’s been so underrated. I’ve been watching him since his Lyon days-he’s got that quiet confidence that just *clicks* in big moments. Honestly, Inter’s depth is scary good right now.
December 8, 2025 at 16:17
ryan pereyra
Let’s deconstruct the ontological implications of Chivu’s tactical pivot through the lens of Lacanian desire and Hegelian dialectics. The 3-5-2 isn’t merely a formation-it’s the externalization of the superego’s internal fracture, a performative assertion of managerial authority in the face of existential uncertainty. Frattesi’s interceptions? They’re not just tackles-they’re epistemological ruptures in the symbolic order of Serie B’s hegemonic structure. The goal differential? A symptom of the Real’s intrusion into the Imaginary of competitive balance.
December 8, 2025 at 20:40
Jane Roams Free
From the US, I just wanted to say-Venezia’s effort was beautiful. They showed up. They scored. They didn’t fold. That’s more than a lot of top-tier clubs do when they’re outclassed. Respect to them. And to Inter-what a display. But let’s not forget the soul of the game: heart over hierarchy.
December 10, 2025 at 07:17
Anthony Watkins
USA 100. Italy 0. This is why we don't let foreigners win. 😠
December 11, 2025 at 10:04
Bryan Kam
Thuram’s second goal? That’s what happens when you give a man a 20-yard runway and a grudge.
December 11, 2025 at 20:09
Cheri Gray
did anyone else notice how diouf just kept running? like he was chasing his ex? 😅
December 12, 2025 at 08:21
Andrea Hierman
While I must acknowledge the statistical dominance displayed by Inter Milan, I find myself reflecting upon the ethical implications of such a lopsided result in a domestic cup competition. Is it not incumbent upon the higher-ranked side to demonstrate restraint? The dignity of sport, after all, is not solely measured in goals scored, but in the grace with which victory is achieved.
December 14, 2025 at 03:30
Danny Johnson
Man, Diouf’s energy was contagious. I swear, he was sprinting like his paycheck depended on it-and honestly? It kinda did. Keep going, kid. You’re proving everyone wrong, one press at a time.
December 15, 2025 at 00:25
Christine Dick
How is it acceptable-how is it morally defensible-that a Serie B team is subjected to such a humiliating performance? This isn’t football; it’s abuse. The referee should have blown the whistle at 3-0. The players on Venezia looked traumatized. This is why football needs a mercy rule. I’m filing a complaint with UEFA. And I’m not alone.
December 15, 2025 at 23:02
Jullien Marie Plantinos
Inter is just lucky they didn’t play the real Italy. This is why we need to stop letting foreigners play for Italian teams. Thuram? He’s French. Diouf? French. Frattesi? He’s from Rome, but he’s not a REAL Italian. This isn’t Italy-it’s a UN summit with cleats.
December 17, 2025 at 21:44
Jason Davis
Bro, Diouf didn’t just score-he *unlocked* something. Like, imagine your favorite video game character finally getting the legendary skin after grinding for 200 hours? That was him. And Thuram? He didn’t just score-he turned the ball into a dragon and fired it into the net. This Inter squad? They’re not just playing-they’re modding the game.
December 18, 2025 at 12:18
Yogananda C G
What a beautiful spectacle of human endeavor, the way the ball moved across the pitch like a river of destiny, each pass a mantra, each tackle a prayer, each goal a cosmic alignment of effort and grace. The 3-5-2 formation, a sacred geometry of modern football, revealed the hidden harmony between space and soul. Venezia, though outnumbered, were not defeated-they were elevated, their courage a mirror to the divine struggle of mortal beings against overwhelming odds. And Thuram? He was not merely a striker-he was the vessel through which the spirit of the game whispered its truth: that greatness is not born of privilege, but of persistence, of sweat, of the quiet fire that burns in those who refuse to kneel. May this match be remembered not as a scoreline, but as a hymn to the unyielding will of those who dare to play.
December 19, 2025 at 03:12