Inter Milan must secure a win over the current leaders of their group River Plate, and one of the two teams could still get eliminated depending on the other game in Group E.
Cristian Chivu’s reign as Simone Inzaghi’s successor did not get off in the right way as Inter Milan, who face Rive Plate this week, only managed to draw against Mexican side CF Monterrey. It was seen as a setback when the Club World Cup began, but they responded well albeit late against Urawa Reds.
The Japanese side took an early lead against the Nerazzurri, which proved difficult for Chivu’s side to overcome for long periods. It took an equaliser in the 78th minute from Lautaro Martinez to level things up. Inter Milan then got their winner in the 92nd minute through a Valentin Carboni strike, which took them second in Group E.
While the Serie A giants must overcome their next opponent River Plate to conquer the top spot, there is still a looming danger from Monterrey should they beat Urawa Reds and if Inter Milan end up losing their game. On paper, the Nerazzurri and River Plate are the favourites to go through, but both teams are still not out of danger yet.
River Plate secured a 3-1 win over Urawa Reds in their opening game and better the result that Inter Milan had over the Japanese opposition. That extra goal is the reason they are top of Group E. The Argentine side could not break down Monterrey in their second match despite being the better team on the pitch.
Hence, this is a crucial clash for the Argentine giants, who would need a draw at the most to qualify. Should Monterrey lose or draw in their clash with Urawa Reds, then River Plate are guaranteed to go through alongside Inter Milan, but should they lose to the Nerazzurri and the Mexican side win, River Plate will be out of the competition.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
A host of players are considerable doubts for Cristian Chivu on top of the players that are set to miss through injuries. Hakan Calhanoglu, Denzel Dumfries, and Davide Frattesi are all doubtful, while Mehdi Taremi is still out of contention due to a bureaucratic issue rumbling over the Iranian striker. Yann Bisseck, Piotr Zielinski, Marcus Thuram, and Benjamin Pavard are all out of contention with fitness issues.
Chivu may have different ideas compared to former manager Simone Inzaghi, but the new boss is unlikely to change the shape and formation to keep the continuity. Stefan de Vrij will slot in the back three alongside Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni. Chivu will be hopeful about Calhanoglu’s fitness, as the Turkish international will start if fit, or else the manager may have to find an alternative.
Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are likely to start, while Luis Henrique might once again start in the right wing-back slot. Martinez will lead the line alongside Sebastiano Esposito in the attacking positions as Valentin Carboni will once again begin this match on the bench.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; de Vrij, Acerbi, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Esposito
River Plate
Injuries are not the main source of concern for Marcelo Gallardo as suspensions are a bigger issue. As many as three key stars will miss this crucial clash with Inter Milan because of cautions in the previous games. Those include Kevin Castano, Enzo Perez, and Giuliano Galoppo.
Agustin Ruberto and Sebastian Driussi are the ones absent through injuries, and Gallardo might have to find internal solutions to field a team that will triumph over the Nerazzurri. The River Plate manager will continue with a 4-3-3 formation, with Real Madrid-bound Franco Mastantuono one of the highlights of his attacking setup.
Lucas Martinez Quarta and Paulo Diaz will marshall the defence, with Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna in the full-back roles, with both those former Sevilla full-backs likely to use their top-level experience of European football in this clash.
Matias Kranevitter will sit at the base of River Plate’s midfield with Ignacio Fernandez and Rodrigo Aliendro the preferred choices on either side of the midfield three. Mastantuono will continue to feature on the right side of the front three, while Maximiliano Meza on the left, as Facundo Colidio leads the line for River Plate against Inter Milan this week.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Armani; Montiel; Quarta, Diaz, Acuna; Fernandez, Kranevitter, Aliendro; Mastantuono, Colidio, Meza
Key Stats
- Inter Milan and River Plate need at least a point to go through to the knockout stages.
- Inter Milan have only two wins in their last five games across all competitions.
- River Plate are unbeaten in their last three games.
- River Plate have won only once in their last four games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Franco Mastantuono
With the world’s eyes fixated on Franco Mastantuono ever since it became clear that he would join Real Madrid, it is a big opportunity for the talented Argentine to show he can handle the pressure. The Club World Cup will come across as a big chance for the attacker to help River Plate achieve success before he leaves, and show Real Madrid they made the right choice to spend big on him.
Mastantuono will also have to showcase he can take the mantle in the absence of key stars ahead of this clash with Inter Milan. The highly-rated wonderkid may not get too many opportunities against teams that have staunch defences, and Inter Milan are in that boat, as all eyes will be on the teenager to showcase his talent on the big stage.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-1 River Plate
River Plate will want to secure at least a point against Inter Milan, but Marcelo Gallardo will want to top the group with a win. So far, South American teams have shown they can match their European counterparts equally on the pitch, and it is River Plate’s time to do that as they face their first Euro opponents in this edition of the Club World Cup.
However, they might end up losing this one as Inter Milan seems far more equipped, especially if they can get Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries fit for this clash. Either way, this match has the hallmarks of a tight contest, as the Nerazzurri might edge past the Argentine giants by a slender margin and top the group.
