Monterrey vs Inter Milan | Club World Cup | Group Stage | Pre Match
Monterrey vs Inter Milan
In the wake of a bruising conclusion to their 2024-25 season, Italian powerhouse Inter Milan embarks on a redemptive journey as they launch their Club World Cup campaign against Mexican side Monterrey at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Tuesday. The Nerazzurri, runners-up in both Serie A and the Champions League last season, are eager to turn the page on a tumultuous period under new management, carrying the weight of their storied legacy into Group E alongside River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds. As one of two Italian clubs in this revamped, expanded tournament—alongside arch-rivals Juventus—Inter qualified through UEFA’s four-year rankings, a testament to their consistent performances on the European stage. However, the scars of a 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain, coupled with losing the Scudetto to Napoli, have left the club in a state of flux, with new head coach Cristian Chivu tasked with steering a weary squad through a challenging group stage. The match against Monterrey marks not only a fresh start for Inter but also a chance to reassert their global credentials, with the passionate Interisti hoping their team can channel their proud history to avoid an early stumble in this high-stakes competition.
Inter’s qualification for the Club World Cup is rooted in their impressive European exploits, most notably their run to the 2023 Champions League final, where they fell narrowly to Manchester City. That campaign, combined with last season’s eventful journey to the Champions League semifinals in Munich, earned them enough ranking points to secure a spot in this prestigious tournament. Yet, the end of the 2024-25 season brought a seismic shift in Milan, as the humiliating defeat to PSG and the loss of the domestic title prompted the swift exit of head coach Simone Inzaghi, who departed for a lucrative role in Saudi Arabia. In his place, Inter turned to former defender Cristian Chivu, a club legend who won the Champions League with the Nerazzurri in 2010. Despite his relative inexperience at the senior level, Chivu’s successful 13-game stint at Parma, coupled with his years coaching Inter’s primavera, made him an intriguing choice to lead the club forward. Chivu inherits a squad brimming with talent but reeling from recent setbacks, and his ability to rally his players will be critical as Inter aim to emulate their Intercontinental Cup triumphs of the 1960s. The Nerazzurri’s opening clash with Monterrey represents the first step in a demanding group stage, with matches against Urawa Red Diamonds and a blockbuster showdown with River Plate in Seattle looming on the horizon.
Monterrey, one of two Liga MX representatives in the tournament, arrive in Pasadena with their own ambitions, having qualified as the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners—their fifth continental title in a decade. Los Rayados, as they are known, have a modest Club World Cup history, with third-place finishes in 2012 and 2019, but the expanded format of this year’s competition offers a deeper challenge and a greater opportunity to make their mark. Despite their continental success, Monterrey’s domestic form has been inconsistent, with their last Liga MX title coming in the 2019 Apertura. Last season’s Clausura campaign ended in disappointment, as they fell to Toluca in the quarter-finals on away goals, following an earlier exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the hands of Vancouver Whitecaps. These failures led to the sacking of Argentinian coach Martin Demichelis, with former Barcelona and Manchester City assistant Domenec Torrent stepping in to lead the team. Torrent, whose previous managerial spells at Galatasaray and Flamengo were underwhelming, faces a tall order to harness Monterrey’s talented squad, which blends experienced La Liga imports with Latin American internationals. With a favorable draw in Group E, Los Rayados will fancy their chances of advancing, making Tuesday’s encounter with Inter a crucial early test of their credentials.
The historical context of this matchup adds a layer of intrigue, as Inter and Monterrey have crossed paths once before, in a 1994 friendly during the Tecate Cup in Mexico, where the Nerazzurri emerged victorious. While that result holds little bearing on Tuesday’s competitive fixture, it underscores the global reach of both clubs and their willingness to engage in cross-continental battles. For Inter, the match comes at a time of significant upheaval, particularly in their attacking ranks. The departure of reserve strikers Joaquin Correa and Marko Arnautovic on free transfers, combined with the absence of Iranian international Mehdi Taremi—who is stranded in Tehran due to airstrikes while receiving an award as Iranian footballer of the year—has left Chivu with limited options up top. Additionally, key midfielders Piotr Zielinski, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Denzel Dumfries are doubtful due to injuries, further complicating Chivu’s team selection. However, these absences open the door for young talents like returning loanees Sebastiano and Francesco Pio Esposito, as well as new signings Petar Sucic and Luis Henrique, to make their mark. Barring concerns over fatigue, Chivu is likely to deploy his trusted 3-5-2 formation, with Marcus Thuram partnering captain Lautaro Martinez, who scored 22 goals last season but struggled with a thigh injury toward the campaign’s end. Martinez’s leadership and goal-scoring prowess will be pivotal if Inter are to navigate the challenges posed by Monterrey’s robust defense.
Monterrey, meanwhile, boast a formidable attacking unit led by German Berterame, an Argentine-born striker who netted 20 Liga MX goals last season and earned his first cap for Mexico in 2024. Berterame is supported by a cast of experienced stars, including La Liga veterans Sergio Canales, Oliver Torres, Lucas Ocampos, and Sergio Ramos. Ramos, now 39, brings unparalleled pedigree, having won four Club World Cups during his illustrious career, and his return from a month-long injury layoff strengthens Monterrey’s backline, where he will serve as captain. Canales, a set-piece specialist, has been a creative force for Los Rayados, amassing 22 goals and 16 assists in two years, and his partnership with veteran winger Jesús Corona promises to stretch Inter’s defense. However, Monterrey will be without long-term absentee Carlos Salcedo, whose absence could expose vulnerabilities against Inter’s high-pressing style. The clash between Inter’s disciplined 3-5-2 and Monterrey’s fluid, possession-based approach under Torrent will be a fascinating tactical battle, with both teams eager to lay down a marker in Group E.
The stakes are high for Inter, whose proud history in global competition—including their 2010 Club World Cup triumph under Rafa Benitez—demands a strong showing in Pasadena. The Nerazzurri’s fans, known for their unwavering support, will expect Chivu to instill a sense of purpose and resilience in a squad that has endured significant upheaval. Avoiding an early exit is paramount, as a slip-up against Monterrey could complicate their path through a group that includes the formidable River Plate and the unpredictable Urawa Red Diamonds. For Monterrey, the match offers a chance to prove they belong among the world’s elite, with their heavy investments in high-profile players signaling their intent to compete at the highest level. The Rose Bowl, with its rich history of hosting iconic soccer moments, will provide a fitting stage for this clash of styles and ambitions.
As Tuesday’s kickoff approaches, both Inter Milan and Monterrey stand at a crossroads, each seeking to overcome their respective challenges to make a statement in the Club World Cup. For Inter, the match is a chance to rediscover their identity under Chivu’s leadership, to channel the spirit of their 1960s Intercontinental Cup triumphs, and to silence critics who doubt their ability to rebound from last season’s disappointments. For Monterrey, it’s an opportunity to showcase the growing stature of Liga MX on the global stage, to leverage their star-studded squad to upset a European giant, and to ignite their campaign with a performance that could propel them deep into the tournament. The outcome of this encounter will set the tone for their Group E journeys, with Inter’s tactical discipline and Monterrey’s attacking flair poised to collide in a match that promises drama, intensity, and moments of brilliance.
