The Rayados de Monterrey, with the presence of Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, will face Inter Milan this Tuesday in Los Angeles, runner-up of the Champions League, in a debut that promises to be demanding in the Club World Cup. With just three weeks at the helm of the team, Spanish coach Domenec Torrent, who collaborated with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, has focused his efforts on strengthening the balance of the Mexican team, especially in defense, an area that has presented challenges. Despite having Ramos, one of the most outstanding defenders in the world this century, Rayados showed inconsistencies in their defensive line during the Clausura tournament, which cost them elimination in the quarterfinals, despite being considered favorites against Toluca. Monterrey will seek to draw inspiration from its history to face the Italians without complexes, just as they did in 2019 in the World Cup semi-final, where the result was decided in the last minute with a goal by Firmino. Inter arrives at the match after suffering a resounding defeat against PSG in the final of the European Champions League, which prevented them from obtaining their third title. This situation could make the team an even more dangerous rival. The Milan team, led by Romanian Cristian Chivu, could be without defender Yann Bisseck and midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu and Davide Fratessi, who have not trained normally. However, Inter has a squad full of figures and resources to overcome any obstacle.
The Inter and the Argentinian River Plate are the standout teams in Group E, and are set to advance to the round of 16, as long as they do not underestimate Monterrey and the Japanese Urawa Red Diamond, teams that in the previous format of the World Cup achieved outstanding positions.Chivu admitted to having little information about Rayados, beyond the career of Ramos, world champion with Spain in 2010, and his compatriot Sergio Canales, a key figure in midfield.
Cristian Chivu
Probable Lineups:
Monterrey: Luis Cárdenas, John Stefan Medina, Sergio Ramos, Víctor Guzmán, Gerardo Arteaga; Iker Fimbres, Fidel Ambriz, Nelson Deossa, Sergio Canales, Jesús M. Corona, Germán Berterame. Manager: Domenec Torrent (ESP).Inter Milan: Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto, Federico Dimarco, Denzel Dumfries; Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martínez. Coach: Cristian Chivu (ROM).Referee: To be confirmed.Stadium: Rose Bowl, Pasadena. Los Angeles.Time: 18.00 (01.00 GMT).
