KLIK SAJA - After ending their 2024–25 season on a bitter note, Italian giants Inter Milan are aiming to bounce back as they kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign this Tuesday facing Monterrey at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
The Nerazzurri, under new leadership, are entering a fresh chapter. Last season’s Serie A and Champions League runners-up are drawn into Group E alongside Mexican powerhouse Monterrey, Argentina’s River Plate, and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.
Inter is one of only two Italian clubs participating in the newly formatted tournament, joining long-time rivals Juventus.
Their ticket was secured via UEFA’s four-year ranking system, thanks largely to their impressive run to the 2023 Champions League final—where they narrowly lost to Manchester City—and strong performances throughout the following season, including a deep run in Munich.
However, things unraveled quickly. A humiliating 0–5 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, coming just days after surrendering the Scudetto to Napoli, triggered major upheaval in Milan.
Head coach Simone Inzaghi soon departed for Saudi Arabia.
His replacement? Former Inter defender Cristian Chivu, who, despite limited top-level experience, showed promise during a 13-match stint with Parma and previously led Inter’s Primavera team.
Chivu now shoulders the burden of restoring pride and guiding a weary squad through a demanding summer tournament.
Inter, who twice lifted the Intercontinental Cup in the 1960s, boast a rich global pedigree.
Expectations are high for Chivu to inspire a strong showing. After facing Monterrey in their opener, Inter will take on Urawa Red Diamonds before a potentially decisive clash with River Plate in Seattle.
Though this will be the first official meeting between Inter and Monterrey, the two sides previously met in a friendly 31 years ago at the 1994 Tecate Cup, where Inter came out on top.
On the other side, Monterrey—one of two Liga MX representatives in this year’s revamped tournament—earned their spot by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, their fifth continental title in a decade.
Their best Club World Cup finishes were third-place showings in 2012 and 2019. But with the stakes now higher than ever, competition is fierce.
Los Rayados have also won five domestic league titles, though their last came in the Apertura 2019.
