Inter's pre-season preparations are being shaped by two pressing concerns: the continued absence of their first-choice strikers and a transfer window that has repeatedly fallen short of targets. Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram will miss the start of the Serie A season, a confirmed reality rather than a precaution, which means Cristian Chivu must decide how much responsibility to hand young forwards like Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny when the campaign opens against Monza later this month.

On the pitch, Inter drew 1-1 with Milan in Perth, a friendly that carried symbolic weight as both clubs paid tribute to the late Franco Baresi. Dimarco gave Inter the lead before a late penalty earned the equaliser for Milan. The result was secondary to the fitness questions it raised, with Chivu rotating heavily and testing options across the squad.

Off the pitch, the transfer situation remains unsettled. The pursuit of Cristian Romero has effectively collapsed, with the Argentina defender now expected to join Atletico Madrid rather than move to Milan. Two earlier right-back targets, Palestra and Khalaili, also fell through for separate reasons, and Chivu has since signalled a change in approach, now seeking an experienced profile on the right flank rather than a younger option. A potential swap involving Davide Frattesi and Nico Gonzalez with Juventus has also been reported. Inter face Juventus in Perth on Saturday, a useful test before the competitive season begins, with Hakan Calhanoglu having dismissed rumours of a return to Turkey and Henrikh Mkhitaryan publicly targeting a Champions League winners' medal before retirement.